Understanding Domain Authority: What It Is and Why It Matters

What Is Domain Authority?

Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine result pages (SERPs). Scores range from 1 to 100, with higher scores corresponding to greater ranking potential.

How Is DA Calculated?

DA is calculated using multiple factors including:

  • Linking root domains: The number of unique websites linking to you
  • Total number of links: The overall quantity of inbound links
  • Link quality: The authority of the sites linking to you
  • Content relevance: How well your content matches search intent

Why DA Matters for Domain Buyers

When purchasing a domain, DA provides a snapshot of the domain's established authority. A domain with DA 40+ already has significant link equity that would take years and thousands of dollars to build from scratch.

DA vs Page Authority

While Domain Authority measures the overall strength of an entire domain, Page Authority (PA) measures the strength of individual pages. Both matter, but DA gives you the big picture of a domain's value.

Good DA Scores by Category

  • 1-10: New or undeveloped domains
  • 10-20: Growing sites with some authority
  • 20-40: Established sites with decent authority
  • 40-60: Strong authority, significant competitive advantage
  • 60+: Elite authority, extremely valuable

Building Domain Authority

If you've acquired a domain with existing DA, maintain it by keeping the site active, preserving existing backlinks, and consistently publishing quality content. DA drops quickly on neglected domains.

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