Domain Authority: What It Is and How to Boost Yours in 2025

Have you ever wondered why some websites consistently rank higher in search results while others struggle to get noticed? The secret sauce might just be their domain authority. Whether you’re a seasoned SEO professional or just dipping your toes into the digital marketing pool, understanding domain authority is crucial for your online success in 2025.

Why Domain Authority Matters (Even Though Google Doesn’t Use It)

Let’s clear something up right away: Domain Authority (DA) isn’t an official Google metric. Gasp! I know, right? But here’s the thing—it still matters. A lot.

Domain Authority serves as a predictive indicator of how well your website might perform in search engine results pages (SERPs). Think of it as your website’s credit score in the eyes of search engines. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be trusted with prime real estate in search results.

In our increasingly competitive digital landscape, having a strong DA gives you an edge. It helps you:

• Benchmark your site against competitors
• Track your SEO progress over time
• Identify opportunities for improvement
• Set realistic goals for your SEO campaigns

Moz vs. Other Metrics: The Battle of the Scores

Domain Authority isn’t the only player in town. Several SEO tools have developed their own versions of authority metrics:

• Moz’s Domain Authority (DA): The OG authority metric, scored from 1-100
• Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR): Also on a scale of 1-100, with a focus on backlink quality and quantity
• SEMrush’s Authority Score (AS): Combines multiple metrics including backlinks, referring domains, and organic search data

While they all aim to measure similar things, each uses slightly different algorithms. It’s like comparing apples, oranges, and pears—they’re all fruit, but with distinct flavors.

What Is Domain Authority?

The Definition You’ve Been Waiting For

Domain Authority is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine result pages. Scored on a scale from 1 to 100, higher scores indicate a greater ability to rank.

Think of it as your website’s overall strength and credibility on the internet. It’s like your digital reputation score, and in the online world, reputation is everything.

How It’s Calculated (Warning: Math Alert!)

Domain Authority is calculated using a machine learning algorithm that incorporates dozens of factors, including:

• Link profile: The number and quality of external sites linking to yours
• Root domains: How many unique websites link to you
• Social signals: How your content performs on social media
• Search traffic: Your site’s performance in organic search
• On-page SEO factors: Content quality, site structure, etc.

The algorithm is logarithmic, meaning it’s much easier to grow your score from 20 to 30 than from 70 to 80. This is why established brands with scores in the 90s have typically been building their authority for years or even decades.

Domain Authority vs. Page Authority: The Dynamic Duo

Domain Authority measures the strength of your entire website, while Page Authority (PA) measures the strength of individual pages. It’s like comparing your overall health to the condition of specific organs.

Here’s how they differ:

Domain Authority (DA)Page Authority (PA)Applies to entire domainApplies to specific URLsBroader metricMore granular metricChanges more slowlyCan change more rapidlyGood for competitive analysisGood for on-page optimization

Both metrics are valuable, but they serve different purposes. Use DA when evaluating your site as a whole and PA when optimizing specific pages or content pieces.

How to Check Domain Authority

Free Tools at Your Fingertips

No need to break the bank! Several free tools let you check your Domain Authority:

1. Moz Link Explorer: Offers a limited number of free searches per month
2. MozBar: A free browser extension that displays DA while you browse
3. Ubersuggest: Provides basic DA information along with other SEO metrics
4. Small SEO Tools: Offers a simple DA checker with no registration required

For the budget-conscious SEO, these tools provide enough insight to get started.

Moz vs. Ahrefs vs. SEMrush: The Showdown

Each platform has its strengths:

• Moz: The creator of DA, with the most accurate DA scoring
• Ahrefs: Excellent for backlink analysis and competitor research
• SEMrush: Great for comprehensive SEO analysis beyond just authority metrics

Pro tip: Don’t get hung up on comparing scores across different platforms. Pick one tool and use it consistently to track your progress over time.

What Is a Good Domain Authority Score?

New Sites vs. Established Brands: Managing Expectations

A “good” Domain Authority score is relative to your competition and your site’s age:

• New websites (0-6 months): 10-20 is respectable
• Established small businesses (1-3 years): 20-40 is solid
• Industry leaders (3+ years): 40-60 shows strong authority
• Major brands and publications: 60-90 represents elite status
• Search engines and social platforms: 90+ is the digital Mount Olympus

Remember, DA is comparative by design. A score of 30 might be outstanding in a niche with low competition but mediocre in a highly competitive space.

How Competitive Niches Differ

Industry matters—a lot. Let’s look at average DA scores across different niches:

• Finance/Insurance: 50-70 (highly competitive)
• Health/Medical: 40-60 (stringent standards)
• Local businesses: 20-40 (location-based competition)
• Personal blogs: 10-30 (lower barrier to entry)

Your goal should be to outrank your direct competitors, not to achieve some arbitrary number.

How to Increase Domain Authority in 2025

Ready for the good stuff? Here’s how to boost your Domain Authority this year:

Link Building Strategies That Actually Work

Links are still the currency of the internet, but quality trumps quantity every time:

• Guest posting on relevant sites: Share your expertise on established platforms
• Create linkable assets: Develop original research, tools, or comprehensive guides
• Broken link building: Find broken links on other sites and suggest your content as a replacement
• HARO (Help A Reporter Out): Connect with journalists looking for expert sources
• Strategic partnerships: Collaborate with complementary businesses for mutual linking

Avoid link schemes, paid links, or any tactics that violate Google’s guidelines. One toxic link can undo months of honest work.

Content Relevance and Freshness: Stay Current, Stay Ranking

Google loves fresh, relevant content. To keep your DA climbing:

• Update existing content regularly
• Cover trending topics in your industry
• Remove or revamp outdated content
• Maintain a consistent publishing schedule
• Focus on comprehensive, in-depth pieces over shallow content

Remember, it’s better to publish one exceptional piece monthly than four mediocre posts weekly.

Internal Linking: The Unsung Hero of SEO

Your internal linking structure distributes link equity throughout your site:

• Link from high-authority pages to important content
• Use descriptive anchor text
• Create content clusters around pillar topics
• Implement a logical site hierarchy
• Regularly audit and update internal links

Think of internal links as roads connecting different neighborhoods of your website—they should be well-maintained and logically planned.

Technical Health: Fix the Foundation

Technical SEO issues can undermine your authority-building efforts:

• Improve site speed (aim for under 3 seconds loading time)
• Ensure mobile responsiveness
• Fix crawl errors and broken links
• Implement schema markup
• Secure your site with HTTPS

A technically sound website gives you a solid foundation for building domain authority.

Common Myths About Domain Authority

Myth #1: Domain Authority Is a Google Ranking Factor

Despite what some “experts” claim, Google doesn’t use Domain Authority in its ranking algorithm. DA is a third-party metric created by Moz to predict ranking potential, not determine it.

Myth #2: More Backlinks Always Mean Higher DA

Quality over quantity applies here. One link from a trusted, relevant site can outweigh dozens from low-quality sources. In fact, spammy links can actually harm your DA.

Myth #3: DA Improvements Lead to Immediate Ranking Boosts

Domain Authority takes time to build. Even significant improvements in your DA score might not translate to ranking changes for weeks or months.

Myth #4: You Need a High DA to Rank Well

While a high DA helps, you can absolutely outrank higher-authority sites with better on-page optimization, more relevant content, and stronger user engagement signals.

Wrapping Up: Your Domain Authority Action Plan

Building domain authority isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. Focus on creating valuable content, earning quality backlinks, and maintaining technical excellence. The results will follow.

Remember these key takeaways:

1. Domain Authority predicts ranking potential but isn’t used by Google directly
2. Compare your DA to direct competitors, not industry giants
3. Focus on quality over quantity in all aspects of SEO
4. Be patient—authority building takes time
5. Use DA as one metric among many, not as your only goal

Ready to Take Your Domain Authority to the Next Level?

Book a call with me today to identify and fix the issues that might be holding your site back. Or check out our other SEO topics for actionable strategies you can implement today.

What’s your current Domain Authority score? Share in the comments below, and let’s discuss strategies specific to your situation!