---
title: "Domain Authority"
description: "Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine result pages (SERPs), scored on a scale of 1 to 100."
category: "SEO Fundamentals"
date: "2026-03-05"
url: "https://getbeast.io/glossary/domain-authority/"
type: "glossary"
---

# Domain Authority

**Category:** SEO Fundamentals | **Updated:** 2026-03-05

Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine result pages (SERPs), scored on a scale of 1 to 100.

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## What Is Domain Authority?
Domain Authority (DA) is a metric created by Moz that estimates the ranking strength of an entire domain on a 1-100 logarithmic scale. A higher DA indicates a greater likelihood of ranking well. Similar metrics include Ahrefs' Domain Rating (DR) and Semrush's Authority Score. Note that DA is **not a Google ranking factor** — it's a third-party predictive metric.

## Why Domain Authority Matters
DA is useful for competitive analysis — comparing your site's relative strength against competitors. It helps evaluate link building opportunities (links from high-DA sites are generally more valuable). DA is also useful for tracking your site's overall authority growth over time. A new site typically starts at DA 1 and grows as it acquires quality backlinks.

## How to Improve Domain Authority
Earn high-quality backlinks from authoritative, relevant websites. Create link-worthy content (original research, comprehensive guides, tools). Remove or disavow toxic spam links. Improve internal linking structure. Build topical authority by covering subjects deeply. DA improvement is gradual — focus on long-term link acquisition rather than quick wins.

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## Related Terms

- [Backlink](/glossary/backlink/)
- [Link Building](/glossary/link-building/)
- [Link Equity](/glossary/link-equity/)
- [SERP](/glossary/serp/)
- [Topical Authority](/glossary/topical-authority/)


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*Part of the [GetBeast SEO Glossary](/glossary/). Visit [GetBeast.io](https://getbeast.io) for professional SEO and log analysis tools.*