What Is Domain Authority and How to Increase It?

In the competitive world of digital marketing, understanding and improving your website's Domain Authority (DA) can be the difference between ranking on page one of Google or being buried in search results. But what exactly is Domain Authority, and more importantly, how can you increase it to boost your website's search engine performance?

What Is Domain Authority?

Domain Authority is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine results pages (SERPs). The metric ranges from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater ability to rank well in search results.

Created by Moz in 2009, Domain Authority uses machine learning algorithms to calculate a score based on linking root domains and the total number of links. It's important to note that Domain Authority is not a Google ranking factor – it's a third-party metric designed to help SEO professionals and marketers understand their website's competitive landscape.

How Domain Authority Is Calculated

Domain Authority is calculated using over 40 factors, with the most significant being:

• Linking root domains: The number of unique websites linking to your domain
• Total number of links: The overall quantity of inbound links
• MozRank: A measure of link popularity
• MozTrust: A measure of link trustworthiness

The algorithm is updated regularly to maintain accuracy and relevance in the ever-changing SEO landscape. According to Moz, over 35 trillion links are analyzed to calculate Domain Authority scores.

Understanding Domain Authority Scores

Domain Authority scores are logarithmic, meaning it's significantly easier to grow your score from 20 to 30 than from 70 to 80. Here's how to interpret DA scores:

• 0-20: New or low-authority websites
• 21-40: Developing websites with some authority
• 41-60: Established websites with moderate authority
• 61-80: High-authority websites with strong online presence
• 81-100: Extremely authoritative websites (think Google, Facebook, Wikipedia)

Research shows that websites with Domain Authority scores above 50 are 3.7 times more likely to rank in the top 10 search results compared to websites with DA scores below 30.

Why Domain Authority Matters for SEO

While Domain Authority isn't a direct Google ranking factor, it serves as an excellent predictor of search engine performance. Here's why DA matters:

1. Competitive Analysis

Domain Authority allows you to compare your website's authority against competitors. If your competitor has a DA of 65 and you have a DA of 35, you'll likely need to build significantly more high-quality backlinks to compete effectively.

2. Link Building Prioritization

Websites with higher Domain Authority scores typically pass more "link juice" when they link to your site. A backlink from a DA 70 website is generally more valuable than multiple links from DA 20 websites.

3. Content Marketing Strategy

Understanding your DA helps inform your content strategy. Higher authority websites can typically rank for more competitive keywords, while lower authority sites should focus on long-tail, less competitive terms.

4. Partnership Opportunities

Many businesses use Domain Authority as a criterion for partnership decisions, guest posting opportunities, and influencer collaborations.

Factors That Influence Domain Authority

Several key factors impact your website's Domain Authority score:

Link Profile Quality

The quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to your domain significantly impact DA. Links from high-authority, relevant websites carry more weight than links from low-quality or spammy sites.

Website Age and History

Older domains with consistent, quality content tend to have higher Domain Authority scores. However, age alone doesn't guarantee high DA – the domain must have been actively building authority over time.

Social Signals

While not a direct factor, social media engagement and shares can indirectly influence Domain Authority by increasing visibility and potential for natural link building.

Technical SEO

Website performance factors like page load speed, mobile responsiveness, and crawlability can indirectly affect DA by improving user experience and search engine accessibility.

Content Quality and Relevance

High-quality, relevant content attracts natural backlinks and establishes topical authority, both of which contribute to improved Domain Authority.

12 Proven Strategies to Increase Domain Authority

1. Focus on Quality Link Building

The most effective way to increase Domain Authority is through strategic link building. According to a study by Backlinko, the average page ranking #1 in Google has 3.8 times more backlinks than pages ranking #2-10.

Actionable strategies:

• Create linkable assets (infographics, research studies, tools)
• Reach out to relevant websites for guest posting opportunities
• Participate in industry forums and discussions
• Build relationships with journalists and bloggers in your niche

2. Improve Internal Linking Structure

Internal links help distribute authority throughout your website and improve crawlability. Research indicates that websites with strong internal linking structures see a 40% improvement in organic traffic on average.

Best practices:

• Link to important pages from your homepage
• Use descriptive anchor text
• Create topic clusters and pillar pages
• Regularly audit and update internal links

3. Remove or Disavow Toxic Backlinks

Bad backlinks can harm your Domain Authority. Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify potentially harmful links.

Steps to clean up your link profile:

• Identify spammy or irrelevant backlinks
• Contact webmasters to request link removal
• Use Google's Disavow Tool for persistent toxic links
• Monitor your backlink profile regularly

4. Create High-Quality, Comprehensive Content

Content that provides exceptional value naturally attracts backlinks and social shares. Studies show that comprehensive content (3,000+ words) receives 3x more traffic and 4x more shares than shorter articles.

Content strategies:

• Conduct original research and publish findings
• Create comprehensive guides and tutorials
• Develop interactive tools and calculators
• Produce timely, newsworthy content

5. Optimize for Technical SEO

Technical SEO improvements enhance user experience and search engine crawlability, indirectly supporting Domain Authority growth.

Key technical factors:

• Ensure fast page load speeds (aim for under 3 seconds)
• Implement proper URL structure
• Fix broken links and 404 errors
• Optimize for mobile responsiveness
• Use HTTPS encryption

6. Build Brand Mentions and Citations

Brand mentions, even without links, can positively impact your online authority. Research by Stone Temple Consulting found that unlinked brand mentions can influence search rankings.

Strategies for brand building:

• Engage in public relations activities
• Participate in industry events and conferences
• Create shareable, branded content
• Develop thought leadership through expert commentary

7. Leverage Social Media Engagement

While social signals aren't direct ranking factors, they can increase content visibility and attract natural backlinks. Posts with high social engagement are 22 times more likely to earn backlinks.

Social media tactics:

• Share valuable content consistently
• Engage with industry influencers
• Participate in relevant conversations
• Use hashtags strategically

8. Guest Posting on High-Authority Sites

Strategic guest posting on relevant, high-authority websites can significantly boost your Domain Authority. Focus on quality over quantity – one guest post on a DA 80 site is worth more than ten posts on DA 20 sites.

Guest posting guidelines:

• Target websites with higher DA than yours
• Ensure topical relevance
• Provide exceptional value in your content
• Follow each site's specific guidelines

9. Fix Website Issues That Impact User Experience

Poor user experience signals can indirectly harm your Domain Authority by reducing engagement and increasing bounce rates.

Common issues to address:

• Slow-loading pages
• Mobile usability problems
• Broken internal and external links
• Poor navigation structure
• Duplicate content issues

10. Build Relationships with Industry Influencers

Networking with industry influencers can lead to natural link-building opportunities and increased brand visibility.

Relationship-building strategies:

• Comment thoughtfully on influencers' content
• Share and promote their valuable content
• Collaborate on projects or research
• Attend industry networking events

11. Monitor and Analyze Competitor Strategies

Understanding what's working for competitors can inform your own Domain Authority improvement strategy.

Competitive analysis steps:

• Identify top competitors in your niche
• Analyze their backlink profiles
• Study their content strategies
• Look for link-building opportunities they've missed

12. Be Patient and Consistent

Domain Authority improvements take time. Moz updates DA scores approximately once per month, but significant changes typically require 3-6 months of consistent effort to become apparent.

Common Domain Authority Mistakes to Avoid

1. Focusing Solely on DA Score

Remember that Domain Authority is a predictor, not a guarantee. Focus on overall SEO health rather than obsessing over the DA number.

2. Buying Low-Quality Backlinks

Purchasing spammy backlinks can severely harm your Domain Authority and search rankings. Always focus on earning high-quality, relevant links.

3. Neglecting Content Quality

No amount of link building can compensate for poor content. Always prioritize creating valuable, relevant content for your audience.

4. Ignoring Technical SEO

Technical issues can prevent search engines from properly crawling and indexing your site, limiting your ability to build authority.

5. Expecting Immediate Results

Domain Authority improvements require patience and consistent effort. Avoid making drastic changes based on short-term fluctuations.

Tools for Monitoring Domain Authority

Several tools can help you track and analyze Domain Authority:

Free Tools

• Moz Link Explorer: Check DA scores for any domain
• Google Search Console: Monitor backlinks and search performance
• Ubersuggest: Basic domain authority checking

Paid Tools

• Ahrefs: Comprehensive backlink analysis and competitor research
• SEMrush: All-in-one SEO toolkit with authority tracking
• Moz Pro: Advanced link building and authority analysis tools

The Future of Domain Authority

As search algorithms continue to evolve, Domain Authority metrics will likely adapt to remain relevant. Key trends to watch include:

• Increased emphasis on user experience signals
• Greater importance of topic authority and expertise
• Evolution of link quality assessment
• Integration of artificial intelligence in authority evaluation

Conclusion

Domain Authority remains a valuable metric for understanding your website's competitive position and potential for search engine success. While improving DA requires time and consistent effort, the strategies outlined in this guide can help you build genuine authority in your industry.

Remember that Domain Authority is just one piece of the SEO puzzle. Focus on creating exceptional content, building genuine relationships, and providing value to your audience. These foundational practices will naturally lead to improved Domain Authority and, more importantly, better search engine rankings and increased organic traffic.

By implementing these proven strategies and maintaining a long-term perspective, you can steadily increase your Domain Authority and establish your website as a trusted authority in your niche. Start with the tactics that align best with your current resources and gradually expand your efforts as you see results.

References

1. Moz - Domain Authority
2. Backlinko - Link Building Study
3. Google Search Console
4. Ahrefs - SEO Tools
5. SEMrush - Digital Marketing Toolkit