At ConnorCedro.com, every strategy starts with real data. As a SEMrush Certified Agency Partner, I test every SEO approach on my own websites before using it for clients. My team publishes new content daily, tracks what performs best, and applies only what’s proven to drive measurable growth.
If you’ve ever used SEO tools like Ahrefs or Moz, you’ve probably seen two similar-sounding metrics — Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA).
Both seem to measure the same thing: the strength of a website’s backlink profile. Yet marketers often confuse them, and that confusion can lead to poor link-building decisions and inaccurate reporting.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what each metric means, how they’re calculated, and how to use them effectively to grow your website’s organic visibility.
Why These Metrics Exist
Search engines don’t reveal their full ranking algorithms. SEO platforms like Moz and Ahrefs created independent metrics to estimate how powerful a website’s backlink profile might be.
These scores are not official Google ranking factors — but they’re useful indicators of link quality and site authority.
Think of them as “SEO credit scores.” The higher your number, the stronger your site’s backlink health is likely to be.
What Is Domain Rating (DR)?
Domain Rating is an Ahrefs metric that measures the overall strength of a website’s backlink profile compared to all other sites in Ahrefs’ database.
How It Works
DR is measured on a 0–100 scale.
It evaluates the quantity and quality of referring domains linking to a website.
It considers how authoritative those referring domains are (based on their own DR).
It passes diminishing value for links from the same website — meaning 100 links from one domain don’t carry the same weight as 100 links from 100 different domains.
Example
If website A has backlinks from Forbes, HubSpot, and TechCrunch, its DR might be 75+.
If website B only has a handful of links from low-authority blogs, its DR might be below 20.
Ahrefs uses DR mainly to benchmark link quality and identify strong outreach targets.
Key Takeaways
Measures link authority only — not traffic or content quality.
Updates frequently as Ahrefs crawls new data.
More sensitive to link quantity and diversity.
Domain Authority, developed by Moz, also measures a domain’s ranking potential based on backlinks — but the formula is slightly different.
How It Works
DA is calculated on a 0–100 scale using a machine-learning model.
It factors in link quantity, link quality, and a proprietary Moz metric called MozRank and MozTrust.
DA predicts how likely a site is to rank in Google’s search results compared to other sites.
Example
A site like nytimes.com may have a DA above 95 because of millions of backlinks from trustworthy sources.
A new local business site may start around DA 5–10.
Unlike DR, Moz DA attempts to model actual ranking potential, not just backlink strength.
Key Takeaways
Predicts how well a site can rank in search results.
Uses multiple link metrics beyond raw backlink count.
Updated less frequently than DR, but integrates with Moz’s keyword and on-page tools.
Although both metrics appear similar, they focus on different aspects of SEO performance.
FeatureDomain Rating (Ahrefs)Domain Authority (Moz)PurposeMeasures backlink strengthPredicts ranking potentialData SourceAhrefs link indexMoz link indexScale0–100 logarithmic0–100 logarithmicUpdate FrequencyUpdated dailyUpdated monthlyCalculation FactorsReferring domains and DR flowMozRank, MozTrust, link qualityBest ForLink building analysisOverall SEO benchmarkingMetric TypePurely off-pagePrimarily off-page with ranking prediction
The key distinction:
DR focuses on link profile power.
DA focuses on ranking potential based on links and trust.
Neither is “better” — they’re simply built for different insights.
How to Use These Metrics Correctly
1. Evaluate Link Opportunities
When analyzing potential backlinks, check both DR and DA.
A site with DR 70 / DA 45 may have many backlinks but less relevance.
A site with DA 60 / DR 30 might be trusted by Google but have fewer outbound links.
Use these metrics together to gauge both quantity and quality.
2. Track Domain Growth Over Time
If your DR and DA rise steadily, it’s a good sign your online presence and backlink strategy are improving. Sudden drops may indicate lost backlinks or poor link neighborhoods.
If you’re curious about the difference between domain rating and domain authority, read Best Free Backlink Checker Tools. This post breaks down how tools like Ahrefs, Moz, and Ubersuggest calculate these metrics and what they really mean for your SEO performance. It’s a great resource for understanding how to track backlink quality, evaluate site strength, and build a healthier link profile.
3. Avoid Chasing Scores Alone
High DR or DA doesn’t guarantee better rankings. Content relevance, user intent, and technical SEO matter more. Use these metrics as guides — not goals.
4. Benchmark Against Competitors
Compare your DR and DA with similar websites. If competitors in your niche average DR 50, you’ll need similar authority to compete for top rankings.
5. Evaluate Link Vendors Carefully
Many link sellers advertise “high DA links.” Be cautious — those links may come from spammy sites with inflated metrics. Always check traffic, topical relevance, and link placement quality before purchasing or exchanging links.
Common Misconceptions About DR and DA
False. Google has confirmed it does not use DA or DR in its ranking algorithm. They are third-party estimates, not official scores.
“A higher number guarantees ranking success.”
Not necessarily. A small, niche website with low DA can still outrank large domains if its content matches user intent and search demand better.
Quality beats quantity. A single backlink from a relevant, trusted domain can be more valuable than dozens of random links.
“You should chase DA 90+ sites only.”
That’s unrealistic for most industries. Focus on relevant, mid-tier websites (DA 40–70) with real traffic and engaged audiences.
How DR and DA Affect Your SEO Strategy
While these metrics aren’t official ranking factors, they influence how you plan outreach, partnerships, and link-building campaigns.
For Link Building
Use DR to measure the overall power of a referring domain.
Use DA to estimate the site’s trustworthiness in Google’s eyes.
Combining both gives a fuller picture of link value.
For Content Marketing
If your goal is to attract backlinks naturally, aim to publish high quality guides, research reports, and thought leadership pieces. When those resources earn backlinks from sites with strong DR and DA, your domain authority compounds faster.
For Reporting and Client Communication
Agencies often use DA and DR to show progress. While traffic and conversions matter most, these numbers help clients understand growth in authority and trust.
Include both metrics in monthly SEO reports alongside keyword rankings and organic traffic.
Which Metric Is More Accurate?
There’s no definitive answer. Accuracy depends on the dataset and what you’re measuring.
Ahrefs DR updates faster and reflects real-time backlink changes more closely.
Moz DA is slightly better for understanding how links affect ranking potential in Google’s algorithm.
For most marketers, using both gives balanced insight:
DR for link power
DA for search authority
Example: Comparing DR and DA in Action
Imagine two competing marketing blogs:
Site A: DR 75, DA 50
Site B: DR 45, DA 65
Site A likely has a wider backlink network — more referring domains, stronger external links, and broad visibility.
Site B, meanwhile, may have fewer links but higher trust and topical relevance in Google’s eyes.
If both publish content on “SEO trends,” Site B might outrank Site A because Google values topical depth, not just link volume.
This example shows why DR and DA must be interpreted in context, not isolation.
How to Improve Domain Rating and Domain Authority
Earn Quality Backlinks
Focus on outreach to credible sites within your niche — guest posts, collaborations, or press coverage. Avoid paid links or link farms.
Publish Linkable Content
Create in-depth, original resources like research studies, tutorials, or visual guides. High-value content naturally attracts backlinks.
Fix Technical SEO Issues
Crawl errors, broken links, or duplicate pages can waste link equity. Run regular site audits with tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog.
Increase Internal Linking
Linking your own pages helps distribute link equity and improves crawl efficiency.
Promote on Social Channels
Social visibility can indirectly increase backlinks. When more people see your content, more opportunities for organic links arise.
Be Patient
Both metrics grow gradually. It can take months for new backlinks to be crawled and reflected in DR or DA.
Limitations of These Metrics
Even though DR and DA are useful, they have limitations:
They can be manipulated with spammy backlinks.
They vary depending on the tool’s data size.
They don’t measure on-page SEO, content quality, or user engagement.
Always pair DR and DA analysis with metrics like organic traffic, keyword visibility, and conversion rates for a complete picture.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to domain rating vs domain authority, there’s no universal winner.
Domain Rating (Ahrefs) gives a clearer view of backlink power and diversity.
Domain Authority (Moz) provides a broader look at ranking potential and trust.
Used together, they help you evaluate link opportunities, track site growth, and benchmark your SEO performance more accurately.
Remember — metrics are tools, not targets. Real success comes from publishing high quality content, earning relevant backlinks, and delivering genuine value to users.
If you focus on building expertise and trustworthy relationships online, your DR, DA, and most importantly, your rankings — will rise naturally.
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