What is the Domain Authority Score? How is the DA calculated?

We all might have heard about the importance of website authority at least once. Webmasters are usually obsessed with this metric because it is quite helpful for them. With this single factor, they can create effective SEO strategies to rank their sites better.

In this blog, we will discuss what DA score is all about, how to measure it, and the ways to increase it. So, stay connected with us till the end!

What is the Domain Authority Score?

Domain Authority score is a predictive metric developed by Moz. It estimates how likely a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). Usually, a score between 1 and 100 is assigned to each site based on several factors.

This score does not evaluate content quality or user experience directly. Instead, it relies on link-related factors. This makes it a useful comparative measure for SEO professionals when assessing websites within the same industry or niche.

DA is not an absolute measure of success. A low score does not necessarily mean poor performance. It might just reflect a newer site or one with limited backlinks. Therefore, we must consider it a relative standard to track your site’s link-building progress and competitive standing.

Is Domain Authority a Google Ranking Factor?

Domain authority is not used by Google to determine search rankings. It might seem like a natural fit, but DA is a third-party metric that does not influence how Google's algorithm evaluates a site.

The misconception likely comes from the fact that DA incorporates factors similar to what Google may consider. For example, backlink profiles and linking domains. However, Google doesn't recognize or refer to it in any of its ranking processes. Moz’s algorithm simply attempts to mirror what a search engine might value when ranking websites. But it is a simulation and not a signal.

This distinction is important:

• It is helpful for SEO rankings
• But, does not directly move a page higher in Google's results

Where to Check the DA Score?

To check a domain's authority score, you can use SmallSEOTools’ DA PA Checker. This tool is a bulk da pa checker that allows users to quickly view the credibility of a webpage with just a few clicks. Here is how it works:

• Access this web-based tool on SmallSEOTools’ website.
• Copy your site's link and paste it into the designated box.
• Now, click the “Check Authority” button to start the process.
• The tool will analyze all the required metrics to find the score.
• Then, it will generate a detailed, downloadable Excel report for your website.

You will be able to see the score, accompanied by other helpful insights like backlinks, number of referring domains, and referring DNS in the report. These factors give a clearer picture of the site’s credibility, which you can use to rank better.

How is the DA calculated?

Authority score is not just a simple number. It is the product of complex calculations. It involves using a sophisticated machine-learning model that takes multiple link-related signals into account. Here are the factors that are considered while measuring it.

Backlink Analysis

The most important thing for calculating the DA score is the strength of a site's backlink profile. This includes both the number of links and unique referring domains from which they come. The algorithm evaluates how those links correlate with Google's actual ranking outcomes. The more backlinks from reputable websites, the better the chances of a higher score.

Root DNS

Instead of simply counting all links, the DA checker prioritizes unique linking root domains. That means getting 50 links from one website is less impactful than getting one link each from 50 different DNS. This approach values diversity over volume, as a varied backlink profile indicates widespread trust and credibility.

Link Quality

We all know that all links are not created equal. A single backlink from a high-authority website within your industry carries more weight than dozens from unrelated or low-authority sites. Links from authoritative, relevant sources signal to the algorithm that your content is trustworthy and contextually important.

Spam Score

The DA metrics assign a spam score based on various signals that suggest if a website might be associated with manipulative practices or not. A higher spam score can drag down your authority score, especially if many of your links come from flagged sources.

It is a protective layer in the algorithm to prevent inflated scores from poor-quality linking tactics. To track the spam score of your website, you can use our spam score checker, which helps you to identify spammy backlinks.

Age of the Domain

Another important metric used to measure the age of a domain. Older ones have already built authority over time. So it is easier for them to rank higher. It does not mean that the newer DNS cannot survive the competition. Like other metrics, it is just another important factor. They are all evaluated to find the likelihood of ranking.

What is the Good Score of Domain Authority?

A good page ranking score is relative and depends on your industry and competition. Generally, getting 50 or above is considered good. It is also important to note that it is more valuable when comparing your site's DA to your competitors within your niche.

Here is a detailed breakdown of this score: 

• 40-50: Average
• 50-60: Good
• 60+: Excellent
• 80+: Highly authoritative

How Do We Increase Domain Authority Score?

Improving the site’s authority is not about chasing a number. It is related to building a strong, credible presence on the web. A higher DA score naturally follows when your website consistently provides value to the user. 

This single factor will help you to earn quality backlinks, increase stay time, build credibility, and more. Other than that, one must maintain a healthy structure of the page for easy navigation. 

If your site's authority is not good, use the following tactics to improve it.

High-Quality Content

First things first, create engaging and valuable content for your users. It has to be original, informative, and well-written so that it resonates with your target audience. Create something that is naturally shareable and attracts backlinks from other websites. Moreover, try to incorporate original data and unique perspectives to make your content stand out.

Build Backlinks

Getting high-quality backlinks from other sites is very important. So, acquire links from reputable and relevant websites. It will demonstrate that other websites trust and value your content. Moreover, remove any low-quality or spammy backlinks that could negatively impact your site's authority.

To build more links, you can take the following measures:

Guest blogging:

Contribute guest posts to other authoritative websites in your industry to earn backlinks and increase visibility. 

Promote your content:

Utilize social media, email marketing, and other channels to reach a wider audience and encourage sharing. 

Optimize Website

There are four aspects of optimizing a site.

On-page SEO:

Optimize your site's content with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and title tags. 

Internal linking:

Add links to all the older but relevant pages to the newer ones. This will build credibility and distribute the authority throughout your site. 

User experience (UX):

Improve the user experience by ensuring your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.

Technical SEO:

Address any technical issues that could affect search engine crawling and indexing. 

Monitor Regularly

Lastly, it is important to keep a regular check on all the efforts you are putting in. You have done all the hard work, so check if it is fruitful or not. It will help to change the strategies if required. 

However, it is worth noting that building a strong domain score takes time and effort. Take things slow and be patient. Consistency is key, so keep putting in effort.

Wrap Up

Domain score is not a direct ranking signal for Google to rank a page. But it still offers valuable insight into your site’s online competitiveness. A strong score can reflect the health of your link-building efforts, content quality, and overall SEO strategy.

However, your goal should not be just chasing a score. The focus should remain on creating a website that’s useful, trustworthy, and respected by both users and peers in your field. Over time, the authority will increase naturally along with the score.