Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA) are two of the most referenced SEO metrics, but they measure different things and come from different tools. Here's what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs' metric; Domain Authority (DA) is Moz's
- Neither is a Google ranking factor
- DR focuses on backlink quality; DA considers more factors
- Use them for competitive analysis, not as absolute measures
Domain Rating (DR) - Ahrefs
Domain Rating is Ahrefs' proprietary metric that measures the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100.
How DR Is Calculated
- • Number of unique domains linking to the site
- • DR of those linking domains
- • Number of unique domains each linking site links to
Note: DR doesn't consider the number of links, only unique referring domains.
Domain Authority (DA) - Moz
Domain Authority is Moz's score that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine results. It also uses a 0-100 scale.
How DA Is Calculated
- • Link profile (quality and quantity)
- • MozRank and MozTrust scores
- • Machine learning model based on Google rankings
- • Multiple other factors Moz keeps proprietary
Note: DA is designed to correlate with actual Google rankings.
DR vs DA: Key Differences
| Factor | Domain Rating (DR) | Domain Authority (DA) |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Ahrefs | Moz |
| Primary Focus | Backlink strength | Ranking potential |
| Data Source | Ahrefs crawler | Moz crawler + ML |
| Update Frequency | Daily | Monthly |
| Free Access | Limited | MozBar extension |
Which Metric Should You Use?
Use DR When...
You're focused on link building and want to evaluate the backlink strength of potential link prospects or competitors.
Use DA When...
You want a broader prediction of ranking ability, or you're using Moz's free tools for quick competitor checks.
Use Both When...
You want a comprehensive view. Different tools can reveal different insights about your competitive landscape.
Important: Neither Is a Google Ranking Factor
Google does not use DR or DA in its algorithm.
These are third-party metrics designed to approximate authority. Use them for competitive analysis and benchmarking, not as absolute measures of SEO success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Domain Rating?
DR is relative to your niche. Generally: 0-30 is low, 30-50 is average, 50-70 is good, 70+ is excellent. Compare against your direct competitors rather than absolute numbers.
What is a good Domain Authority?
Similar to DR: 0-30 is low, 30-50 is average, 50-70 is good, 70+ is excellent. New sites typically start around 10-20 DA.
Can DR or DA go down?
Yes. If you lose backlinks, if linking sites lose authority, or if competitors gain links faster than you, your scores can decrease. Algorithm updates to these tools can also cause fluctuations.
How do I improve my DR/DA?
Build quality backlinks from authoritative sites. Focus on earning links from high-DR/DA sites in your niche. Avoid spammy links that could hurt your profile.