What is domain authority?
Domain authority is a score, created by the software company Moz, that predicts how well a website may rank in search results on a scale of 1 to 100. Google doesn't use it as a ranking factor.
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What domain authority measures
Moz calculates the score mainly from the links pointing to a site, using a model designed to estimate ranking potential. Other SEO tools offer similar metrics with different names, such as Domain Rating or Authority Score.
Because each tool uses its own method and data, their numbers aren't directly comparable.
How to use it
Domain authority works best as a rough comparison between sites, such as when judging competitors or a site that might link to you. It's a shortcut, not a verdict.
Google has stated that it doesn't use domain authority, so raising the number isn't a goal in itself. Focus on the things that earn it, such as quality content and relevant links.
Common questions
Does Google use domain authority?
No. Domain authority is a third-party metric. Google uses its own signals and has said it doesn't use this score.
What is a good domain authority?
It depends on your industry and competitors. Compare your score with the sites you compete against rather than aiming for a fixed number.
How can I improve my domain authority?
Earning relevant, high-quality backlinks and publishing useful content tend to raise it over time. It moves slowly, and it's better treated as a side effect than a target.
Why do different tools show different scores?
Each tool crawls the web differently and uses its own formula. Compare scores only within the same tool.
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