What Is DA (Domain Authority)?
Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher values indicating stronger ranking potential.
DA is calculated using multiple factors including the number and quality of backlinks, linking root domains, and other proprietary signals. It's a comparative metric — best used to compare websites against each other rather than as an absolute measure of SEO strength.
Important note: DA is a Moz proprietary metric, not a Google metric. Google does not use Domain Authority in its ranking algorithm. However, the underlying factors that contribute to a high DA (quality backlinks, established history) do correlate with better search performance.
Why This Matters for Startups
When evaluating a domain to purchase, DA can indicate existing SEO value. A domain with DA 30+ has meaningful backlinks that could give your new website a head start in search rankings. However, don't pay a premium for DA alone — the backlink quality matters more than the number. A domain with DA 15 from high-quality, relevant sites can outperform one with DA 40 from spammy links. Use DA as one data point alongside DR (Ahrefs), backlink analysis, and content history.
Get a Free Domain Appraisal
Find out what any domain is worth with our AI-powered appraisal tool. Three price points, instant results.
Appraise a Domain