What is Domain Authority (DA)?
Domain authority is a metric developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine results on a scale of 0 to 100. It is calculated from factors like the number of linking root domains and the overall quality of a site's backlink profile.
Domain authority and Ahrefs' domain rating measure similar things using different models, so a site's DA and DR are usually in the same ballpark but rarely identical. Both are third-party estimates, not official Google scores.
Like domain rating, DA is logarithmic — moving up the lower end of the scale is much easier than the upper end — and it is most useful as a comparative benchmark against the sites you compete with in search.
Why it matters
Domain authority gives founders a fast read on competitive difficulty. Comparing your DA against the pages ranking for a target keyword tells you whether content alone can get you there or whether you need links first.
It is also a simple progress metric: a rising DA signals that your link-building and content efforts are strengthening the site's overall standing.
How Distro helps
Distro helps you raise your authority the only way that lasts — by earning quality backlinks through its 450+ directory builder and content missions. Run your free growth report to see where you stand.
Related terms
Domain Rating (DR)
Domain rating is a metric developed by Ahrefs that scores a website's backlink strength on a scale of 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating stronger authority.
Backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website, serving as votes of confidence that improve search engine rankings.