Domain Authority Checker

@iannuttall // December 2, 2024 // 111 views

Check the Domain Authority (DA) of a URL as well as the Page Authority (PA), backlinks and referring domains.

10 checks remaining today
Enter a domain to check metrics

Check your domain authority (DA) and SEO metrics

Domain Authority, developed by Moz, predicts how likely a website is to rank in search results. This score ranges from 1 to 100, with higher numbers suggesting better ranking potential.

Take DA with a pinch of salt - Google does not use this in their ranking factors and it is only one measure of the overall quality of a domain by a third party.

Using more than 40 different signals including backlinks, linking root domains, and overall SEO health, Moz calculates a score that can help you understand your site's competitive position. While not a direct ranking factor, DA provides useful comparative insights when viewed alongside other metrics.

Understanding our metrics

Our DA PA checker provides comprehensive domain metrics in seconds. Beyond the basic Domain Authority score, you'll get detailed information about your site's backlink profile, spam score, and other vital SEO metrics.

Page Authority works similarly to DA but focuses on individual page strength. This helps identify your strongest content and areas needing improvement at the page level. The metric considers page-specific link metrics, content quality signals, and internal link structure to generate a comparative score.

Moz's spam score evaluates how search engines might view your site's quality. A lower score indicates fewer technical issues that typically correlate with penalized sites. This score helps identify potential problems before they impact your search performance.

How to improve your authority

Building domain authority takes time and consistent effort. High-quality content naturally attracts links and engagement. Focus on comprehensive topic coverage, original research, and expert insights. Regular content updates signal to search engines that your site remains active and relevant.

Technical optimization provides the foundation for authority growth. Fast loading speeds, mobile optimization, and clean site structure all contribute to better user experience. A well-structured internal linking strategy helps distribute link equity throughout your site.

Quality backlinks remain crucial for building authority. Focus on building relationships with relevant industry sites and creating content worth linking to. Avoid paid link schemes - they often lead to penalties that can harm your long-term success. Monitor your link profile regularly to identify and address any toxic backlinks.

User experience signals indirectly support authority growth. Clear navigation, fast page speeds, and mobile responsiveness encourage users to spend more time on your site. Higher engagement metrics often correlate with better search performance, though they're not direct ranking factors.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good DA score?

DA scores should be viewed in context of your direct competitors rather than major sites. New or small sites typically range from 0-20, while established small businesses often score between 20-40. Larger businesses commonly achieve scores of 40-60, with major industry players reaching 60-80. Only the internet's top sites like Wikipedia and Amazon score above 80. Your goal should be to outperform similar sites in your niche rather than chasing an arbitrary number.

How often does DA update?

Moz updates DA scores approximately monthly. These updates reflect both improvements to individual sites and broader changes to Moz's algorithm. Your score might fluctuate even without site changes as Moz refines their calculations and updates their link index.

Can I improve DA quickly?

Legitimate domain authority growth takes months or years of consistent effort. Quick increases often indicate spam tactics that harm long-term success. Focus on creating valuable content and building genuine relationships within your industry. Natural link acquisition and steady improvements to your site's technical health will gradually increase your DA over time.

How does social media affect DA?

While social media activity doesn't directly influence DA, strong social presence often leads to increased visibility and natural backlinks. When content gets shared widely on social platforms, it tends to attract organic links from other websites. These natural backlinks do impact DA, making social media an indirect but valuable part of authority building.

Why did my DA drop?

DA drops can occur for several reasons unrelated to your site's quality. Lost backlinks, Moz algorithm updates, and improvements by your competitors can all affect scores. Technical issues like slow loading times or broken links might also impact DA. Regular site audits help identify and address potential problems before they significantly affect your scores.

Does DA vary by industry?

Different industries show distinct DA patterns based on competition and linking behaviors. Tech and news sites often achieve higher scores due to frequent content updates and natural link building opportunities. Local businesses and niche industries might see lower average scores but can still perform well in search results for their target keywords.

How accurate is DA for measuring SEO success?

DA provides useful comparative insights but shouldn't be your only success metric. Use it alongside Google Analytics data, ranking tracking, and conversion metrics to build a complete picture of your SEO performance. While DA correlates with ranking potential, actual search performance depends on many factors outside this single metric.

A good DA PA checker helps track these metrics to guide your SEO strategy. Start by checking your domain and benchmarking against competitors to identify opportunities for improvement.