When analyzing SEO performance, two metrics often come up: Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR). While both aim to evaluate the strength of a website’s backlink profile, they are developed by different companies, use different data models, and serve slightly different purposes.
At Citations Check, many clients come to us asking how to increase domain authority or how to boost their domain rating. Understanding the distinction between these two metrics is critical for effective SEO planning, outreach, and competitive benchmarking.
This article explains the difference between DA and DR, how they’re calculated, how each impacts your SEO strategy, and which one you should prioritize based on your business objectives.
Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz. It predicts how likely a website is to rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). DA scores range from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a stronger ability to rank.
DA is widely used in the SEO community as a measure of trust and authority. You can check your DA using the Moz DA Checker, which provides a quick analysis of how your site compares to competitors.
Domain Rating (DR) is a metric created by Ahrefs, and it focuses purely on the strength of a website’s backlink profile. Like DA, it’s also scored from 1 to 100 but is calculated differently.
You can check your DR using the Ahref DR Checker, which updates more frequently and is particularly useful for backlink audits.
| Feature | Domain Authority (DA) | Domain Rating (DR) |
| Developer | Moz | Ahrefs |
| Focus | Ranking potential | Backlink strength |
| Score range | 1–100 | 1–100 |
| Link type sensitivity | DoFollow and NoFollow | Primarily DoFollow |
| Data dependency | Moz Link Explorer | Ahrefs Link Database |
| Algorithm scope | Includes trust and spam scoring | Focuses on quantity and quality |
| Update frequency | Less frequent | More frequent |
| Common use case | Ranking forecasts and authority | Link-building campaign analysis |
While neither DA nor DR is an official Google ranking factor, both are useful proxies for evaluating off-page SEO strength and link profile quality.
These metrics help you:
At Citations Check, we use both DA and DR to develop holistic SEO strategies and inform our citation building services, which influence both metrics over time.
The choice depends on your tools, goals, and tracking needs.
In practice, many SEO professionals use both. A good SEO strategy accounts for DA, DR, and other performance indicators such as traffic growth, bounce rate, and conversion metrics.
Wondering how to increase domain authority or asking “how to increase my domain authority“? Follow these proven steps:
For those looking to improve domain rating or searching “how to increase my domain rating“, here are actionable tips:
1. Is DA or DR more important for Google rankings?
Neither DA nor DR is used by Google as a direct ranking factor. They are third-party metrics that estimate domain strength. However, both can help you understand how search engines might perceive your website based on its link profile.
2. Can I improve both DA and DR at the same time?
Yes. Acquiring quality backlinks, improving content, and maintaining technical SEO health can positively influence both DA and DR.
3. How often do DA and DR scores update?
Ahrefs’ DR typically updates daily or weekly, while Moz’s DA may update less frequently. Therefore, you may see DR fluctuate more often.
4. Are low DA/DR websites bad for link building?
Not necessarily. Relevance, content quality, and traffic levels also matter. A well-targeted niche site with low DA or DR can still provide valuable SEO benefits.
5. What is a good DA or DR score?
There’s no universal benchmark. For small businesses, a DA or DR of 30+ can be strong. For competitive industries, aiming for 50+ may be more realistic.
6. Do citation links help DA and DR?
Yes. Quality citations from trusted directories can contribute to your backlink profile, which supports both DA and DR growth over time.
7. Can I check DA and DR for free?
Moz offers a free DA checker. Ahrefs provides limited access to DR data through its free tools. Both offer premium versions for more comprehensive tracking.
DA and DR are valuable reference points in understanding how strong your domain appears to search engines. While their algorithms differ, the path to improving both remains similar: high-quality content, strategic backlink acquisition, technical excellence, and consistent branding through citations.
At Citations Check, we specialize in local citation building, domain authority improvement, and backlink profile audits to help businesses enhance visibility and gain a competitive edge.
Ready to Build Authority That Matters?
Whether you’re aiming to improve your domain authority or boost your domain rating, Citations Check provides custom strategies and reliable services to help you get there.
Contact us today to learn how we can help strengthen your domain through proven SEO techniques, citation submissions, and authority-building campaigns.
