Domain Authority is one of the most cited numbers in SEO, and one of the most misunderstood. It is a helpful shorthand for a site's overall strength, but it is a third-party estimate, not a dial inside Google. Knowing the difference keeps you from chasing a score instead of the outcomes it tries to predict.
Does Google Use Domain Authority?
No. This is the single most important thing to understand about DA. It is a metric defined by Moz, and Google representatives, including John Mueller, have stated repeatedly that Google does not use domain authority as a ranking factor. DA correlates with rankings only because it is built from signals, mainly the quality and quantity of backlinks, that Google does care about. It predicts ranking ability; it does not cause it.
How Is Domain Authority Calculated?
Moz calculates DA primarily from a site's backlink profile: how many other sites link to it, and how authoritative those linking sites are, along with other factors. Because it is a comparative, logarithmic score, moving from 20 to 30 is far easier than moving from 70 to 80. It is also relative, so a DA of 40 might be strong in one niche and weak in another.
How Do You Improve Domain Authority?
Since DA reflects link quality, you improve it the same way you improve real authority:
- Earn quality backlinks from relevant, authoritative sites, which is the largest driver.
- Publish content worth linking to, such as original data, tools, and thorough guides.
- Build topical authority so your site is recognized as a credible source on its subject.
- Avoid spammy or bought links, which can hurt rather than help.
How Should You Use Domain Authority?
Treat DA as a directional benchmark, not a target. It is useful for comparing your site to competitors and tracking your backlink profile's strength over time. It is a mistake to optimize for the score itself, or to assume raising it directly lifts Google rankings. Focus on the underlying work, quality links and content, and the score follows as a byproduct.
Frequently asked questions
What is domain authority?+
Domain Authority is a score from 1 to 100, created by Moz, that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search results. It is based largely on the quality and quantity of backlinks, and it is a third-party benchmark rather than a Google metric.
Does Google use domain authority as a ranking factor?+
No. Google representatives, including John Mueller, have repeatedly said Google does not use domain authority. It is a Moz metric, and it correlates with rankings only because it measures link quality that Google does value.
How do you increase domain authority?+
Earn quality backlinks from relevant, authoritative sites, publish content worth linking to, and build topical authority in your subject. Because DA reflects link strength, improving real authority raises the score as a byproduct.