Domain Authority Score – What It Is and How to Increase It

Audit your current Domain Authority now and set a concrete target to increase it by 5–10 points within the next 90 days. This baseline guides your content, links, and technical work, and it gives marketing teams a clear metric to chase.

Domain Authority is a comparative score that engines use to estimate trust. Between content quality and link equity, pages that earn high-quality signals tend to rise in DA faster. If you lack a plan, you’ll see inconsistent results; yet data from many sites shows that authentic content attracts legitimate links over time. replied by practitioners, the approach that combines relevance and authority consistently performs better.

First, plan to include a mix of long-form guides, data-backed posts, and updated content that stays relevant. A nod from illyes aligns with this: content that clearly helps readers earns higher-quality links. However, avoid shortcuts; let topics come from what your audience asks and what data determines as valuable.

Build high-quality links with targeted outreach and assets people want to quote. they replied that marketing teams should come with value, not pushy pitches. When you reach out, tailor each message to the recipient’s site and minimize over-optimizing anchor text. This helps against penalties from engines and keeps your link profile safer.

Address lack of technical signals by ensuring pages load quickly and are served over https. Compress images, minify scripts, and monitor mobile performance. Strengthen internal linking to distribute authority across relevant pages, so data flows between related posts and newer content.

Track metrics that determine progress: DA value, number of referring domains, anchor text diversity, and the speed of improvement. Keep a data dashboard accessible to the team; they replied with fresh insights, and you should adjust your plan accordingly. If results lag, increase high-quality content and refine outreach. Data-backed habits compound, and you may see results as engines reassess your authority–ever improving over time.

Practical guide to understanding and boosting Domain Authority

Start with a structured audit of your domains’ backlink profile to establish a baseline for Domain Authority, identify top referring domains, and quantify link quality. If you started this effort recently, set a concrete target to raise the score by 3–5 points over the next 90 days; track progress weekly and adjust tactics as needed.

DA is a concept used by search marketers and is based on signals from third-party data. It’s a predictive score indicating how likely a site would rank, derived from link quantity, link quality, anchor diversity, and trust signals. A common question is how much DA matters for rankings. The concept helps you prioritize opportunities and measure progress. Tools like Majestic provide related data to guide decisions, but note that Domain Authority is a third-party metric, not a direct Google signal.

Technical health influences your ability to earn links. Start by fixing crawl errors, implementing a clean internal linking structure, and ensuring fast mobile performance. Another lever is improving internal linking to spread authority across your top pages. Create content that is valuable and relevant to your audience, with a clear information architecture; this makes it easier for editors to consider linking. Use accurate data from analytics to identify pages that attract the best external links and replicate that model.

Build an outreach plan that targets high-authority domains in your niche. Identify 15–20 potential targets per month and craft personalized pitches that offer something valuable: data, case studies, or insights your audience would want to share; include a link to your best resource. Let your content lead the outreach, not aggressive requesting. The best opportunities come from relationships, not mass emails.

Set up a recurring audit to monitor changes in DA, referring domains, and trust signals. Use an accurate baseline and compare monthly progress. If you see a dip, review anchor text and the health of acquiring links; you would learn which tactics move the needle. Keep reports simple and actionable, and include a short synopsis for stakeholders.

Promote assets on twitter to earn natural links; however, don’t rely solely on social signals for DA. Diversify channels and focus on editorial quality. The more you publish on the site, the more likely other domains will include links. lets you reach a wider audience and opens new opportunities for editorial coverage.

Don’t confuse Domain Authority with rankings. Avoid manipulative tactics like buying links or participating in link schemes. Focus on sustainable growth: produce original research, update evergreen content, and cultivate relationships with editors and bloggers to attract legitimate, higher-quality links even as you refine your plumbing setup for crawlability and indexing.

As a first step, audit the top 10 pages and the strongest 20 referring domains, prune toxic links, and fix internal plumbing to ensure crawlability and proper redirects. Then start outreach to a handful of high-potential targets each month and document what works so you can repeat it with less effort over time.

What Domain Authority measures and how the score is calculated

Begin with a clear structure for your backlink profile: earn high-quality, authority-like links from relevant domains. These backlinks are valuable; they make pages on your site seem more credible to search engines and to readers. There, you can measure how your outreach compares with competitors and identify gaps to fill, which helps them outperform rivals and build momentum.

Domain Authority measures and what it does not is not a direct Google signal. It is a predictive score on a 1-100 scale that estimates how well a domain would perform in search results. The score is relative, about how your site compares to others in your niche and to your own link profile. Off-page signals drive most of the score, while on-page factors provide context. A study of Mozscape data shows that the number of linking root domains and the quality of those domains matter most. The score combines signals into a single metric; unless you invest in multiple areas, it will be hard to move the needle.

How the score is calculated: Moz uses data from its crawl to map the link graph and read page content. The model translates signals into a 1-100 score. Key inputs include the number of linking root domains, the total links, the authority-like strength of those domains, and trust signals such as MozTrust and MozRank. The signal mix also considers anchor text pointing, distribution across pages, and relevance to the referring domains. The score becomes stronger when you build a diverse set of high-quality links from organic sources and keep low-quality links out of your profile. Data are refreshed regularly, so there can be movement as you adjust your strategy. Sometimes a single high-quality link can move your score noticeably. To dive into the data, examine a piece of your backlink profile at a time.

Actions you should take to improve the score: focus on off-page signals and align with content quality. Build a solid structure by targeting credible sites with relevant topics, and diversify your linking domains to outpace competitors. Audit your backlink portfolio to remove harmful links, fix broken ones, and recover lost anchors. Improve crawlability and indexability by clean site architecture and clear navigation, ensure content is easy to link to, and keep new material that earns natural anchors. Use data to track changes; unless you see progress in a few weeks, adjust your outreach and content plan. Understand your audience and competitors is essential for prioritizing actions. Understanding these signals is essential for prioritizing actions, and with consistent effort you should see stronger movement over time.

DA versus Page Authority: practical implications for your SEO plan

Prioritize internal linking to increase PA on high-value pages; this directly boosts rankings potential and keeps DA steady, making it easier to capture opportunities across your site.

In terms of what they measure, DA is a domain-wide score while PA is page-specific. DA correlates with a site’s overall link profile; PA correlates with a page’s rank potential in a given context. You shouldnt rely on one metric alone; this context lets you direct where to invest effort and which links to chase for opportunities.

To apply these practically, start with a crawl-friendly site structure, lets map topics into clusters, connect core pages with hub pages, and simplify navigation to reduce friction for crawlers. Find the needle in the haystack: small tweaks to internal linking can yield outsized PA gains. Increase PA on high-traffic articles by adding internal links from relevant pages using anchor text that matches target terms. Build external links to key domain pages to lift DA over time; publish a steady stream of high-quality articles to earn mentions. Use a tool to track changes; some tests show a 5-15 point DA boost after a productive three-month campaign; actual numbers vary by niche, but the direction is clear.

A question you may ask: whats the best path for your site? The answer depends on your goal and context. If you aim for authority, invest in external links to raise DA while sustaining PA on pages that convert. If you focus on performance, push PA up on landing pages and product articles through targeted internal linking and fresh, relevant content. The plan shouldnt hinge on a single metric; instead, share the responsibility across content and links to achieve a balanced, measurable improvement.

Backlink strategies that reliably raise Domain Authority

Launch a single high-value asset and promote it widely. Create a data-driven study or practical template that solves a real problem for marketers. Provide a concise overview with visuals and quotable findings. This asset will lead to a majority of authority-like backlinks and will support indexing and user engagement over time.

Map an internal linking strategy that passes authority. Link this asset from related posts, guides, and product pages so every page gains internal signals. Keep a consistent level of linking depth to support crawling and indexing. Avoid orphan pages; a clean structure helps search engines crawl faster and index more pages.

Build a skyscraper asset and conduct tailored outreach. Identify top-performing content in your niche, then surpass it with depth, fresh data, or new visuals. Reach prospects with a personalized pitch that highlights value, likely benefits, and a clear link offer. Use a simple workflow to track outreach steps and responses.

Develop linkable assets that attract pointing backlinks. Create resources such that an explorer mindset would cite, such as datasets, calculators, templates, or case studies. Promote them on industry sites, social channels like Twitter, and expert communities. Ensure these assets include keyword-relevant headings and shareable excerpts to boost visibility.

Invest in high-quality outreach and guest placements. Target domains with topical relevance and strong audience signals. Personalize pitches, offer valuable data, and propose anchor text keywords that align with their readers. Keep a compact outreach cadence and track responses to determine which domains consistently deliver high-quality links.

Optimize crawlability and indexing health. Check robots.txt, XML sitemap coverage, and 404 handling. Fix broken links and set 301 redirects for outdated pages. Use canonical tags where needed and ensure internal links point to content with highest relevance. This work helps search engines recognize valuable pages quickly and strengthens authority signals across the site.

Install a simple tracking dashboard and check progress monthly. Monitor the number of referring domains, the ratio of internal to external links, and indexing status for your target assets. Use this data to determine ROI and adjust outreach, content updates, and internal linking to improve consistently.

Content quality, internal linking, and site structure to improve DA

Audit your content quality now and fix the top 20% of pages that drive the most value; ensure each of these has original insights, reliable data, and clear takeaways.

Content quality improvements

• Set a minimum standard for core articles: 1,000–1,600 words, a data-backed claim, one real-world example, and updated citations. This creation effort should include 2–3 visuals (charts, tables, or diagrams) with descriptive alt text to support key points.
• Embed fresh data and case studies regularly. For example, refresh statistics every quarter and add a mini overview box with 3 actionable steps marketers can apply–these moves boost reader satisfaction and increase the likelihood of backlinks.
• Improve readability and scannability. Use short paragraphs, clear subheads, bullet lists, and concrete takeaways; aim for a general readability target that makes complex topics accessible without oversimplifying.
• Build credibility through cited sources and quotes from industry experts. Referring to trusted authorities strengthens authority and creates opportunities for others to link to your content.
• Remove outdated information and duplicate pages. A clean content slate reduces confusion and helps pages perform better in search results.
• Publish content that answers a specific need, not a broad summary. When you deliver something with practical value, readers stay longer, and editors at industry sites are more likely to reference your work, creating backlinks that extend your reach.
• Edge-case optimization: include a concise “What you’ll do next” section and a quick breakdown of impact by numbers to illustrate results and keep readers moving into related content.
• Itll help to test formats. Alternate between how-to guides, data-backed analyses, and expert roundups to identify what resonates in your industry and capture more referring domains over time.

Internal linking strategy

• Develop a linking map that distinguishes pillar content from supporting articles. Each pillar page should be linked from at least two related posts, while smaller pieces link back to the pillar or to other topically aligned posts.
• Use 2–4 contextual links per page to surface deeper content; pointing to relevant topics reinforces topical authority and distributes page authority more evenly.
• Craft descriptive anchor text that reflects the destination page’s topic instead of generic phrases. Include a mix of branded, navigational, and keyword-rich anchors, but avoid over-optimization.
• Identify and fix orphaned posts. If a page has no internal links, add at least one relevant link to it from a related article or category hub.
• Monitor and fix broken links. A plugin can help detect 404s and suggest redirects, preserving user experience and crawl equity.
• Use internal linking to highlight best-performing content. Referring pages should point to newer posts that extend a topic, creating a cycle of continued value for readers and search engines alike.

Site structure and navigation

• Implement a clean hub-and-spoke model. Create pillar pages for broad topics and connect them to tightly scoped supporting posts; this is a moving approach to reinforce topic authority across the site.
• Design a logical category tree with 2–3 levels and breadcrumbs. This overview helps both users and crawlers understand how content fits together.
• Keep URLs simple and descriptive: /industry/topic/slug, with consistent slug formatting across categories. Avoid long, nested parameters that confuse users.
• Enhance navigation with a compact primary menu (3–5 categories), an accessible search box, and a sitemap. For mobile users, ensure the menu collapses gracefully and preserves all hub pages.
• Use a site performance baseline. Target Core Web Vitals: LCP under 2.5s, CLS under 0.1–0.25, and TBT under 300ms for key pages; fast pages help retain users and improve rankings.
• Maintain a clear taxonomy aligned with industry needs. This general structure makes it easier for marketers and editors to place new content into the right channel and keeps content discovery intuitive.
• Consider a dedicated content-creation workflow. A predictable process–brief, outline, draft, review, publish–reduces gaps and accelerates new topic coverage into the site’s structure.

Tools, metrics, and quick wins

• Audit with a plugin to identify internal-link gaps, crawl errors, and broken links. Use the findings to fix issues and strengthen internal signals that help pages perform.
• Track content health with a simple dashboard: pages with 1) ongoing updates, 2) improved dwell time, 3) rising rankings, and 4) more referring domains. Many teams use these signals to guide future creation and linking moves.
• Define a 6–8 week plan for boosting DA. Week 1–2: audit and remove irrelevant content; Week 3–4: rebuild pillar hubs and update internal links; Week 5–6: publish new core pieces and expand backlink opportunities; Week 7–8: measure impact and adjust.
• Set a target for backlinks growth by leveraging original data, expert quotes, and practical resources. Original research and useful templates tend to attract editors and marketers looking for shareable assets.
• Leverage cross-linking opportunities across products, categories, and industry topics to create more entry points for readers and to surface content that otherwise sits too deep in the structure.
• Provide an ongoing exploration path. Use calls to action like “explore more” or “discover related guides” to guide users toward deeper content and boost internal engagement metrics.

Overview and next steps

Putting quality content, thoughtful internal linking, and a coherent site structure together creates sustained improvements in site authority. By focusing on content creation that delivers practical value, pointing and referring readers to relevant assets, and organizing pages for easy discovery, you’ll turn opportunities into measurable gains. This approach supports many marketers seeking to move their sites into stronger industry positioning, with a clear path to boostingDA over time.

Using the Domain Authority video walkthrough: actionable steps and a 30-day plan

Install the Domain Authority video walkthrough, run a baseline crawl, and record metrics to set a reference score. Identify a particular area to improve first, then validate changes with repeat crawls and the checker tool. Youre aiming to see movement in strength, linking value, and referral signals without overloading your workflows. This plan keeps things concrete, focused on actions you can execute on wordpress sites and across other platforms as you scale.

1. Day 1 – baseline setup: install the walkthrough, run a crawl, and export the initial dataset from the checker. Note the current domain authority, linking value, and referral traffic patterns.
2. Day 2 – identify weakness: review the top 20 pages by backlink profile and traffic. Mark opportunities where internal linking can boost signal to key pages.
3. Day 3 – keyword scoping: pick 5 target keywords tied to your products or services. Map each keyword to the most relevant page on your site.
4. Day 4 – on-page tweaks: update title tags and header structure for the 2–3 pages with the strongest keyword signals. Keep changes small and measurable.
5. Day 5 – internal linking plan: create a simple internal linking map that increases connection between high-traffic pages and authority pages. Implement 6–8 links.
6. Day 6 – content alignment: review 2 old posts; refresh facts, tighten readability, and add a relevant internal link to a cornerstone page.
7. Day 7 – external exposure: identify 3 potential referring domains and craft outreach messages to earn a guest post or resource link.
8. Day 8 – technical crawl: run a technical crawl to catch broken links, redirects, and crawl errors that slow indexing. Fix critical issues first.
9. Day 9 – disavow readiness: audit spammy or low-quality links. Prepare a disavow list and test impact on a sandbox basis.
10. Day 10 – citation quality: review citation consistency across key directories and enable any missing NAP (name, address, phone) signals if relevant.
11. Day 11 – speed checks: measure load times on core pages. Optimize one slow page with image compression or caching tweaks.
12. Day 12 – referral analysis: pull referral data and identify 3 pages that bring high-quality traffic. Plan moves to amplify those signals.
13. Day 13 – outreach kit: prepare a short resource or expert quote to share with 2–3 potential partners that could link back to your content.
14. Day 14 – content gaps: scan competitors for topics you havent covered. Add 1–2 new posts or updated updates to close gaps.
15. Day 15 – mid-plan review: run the walkthrough again, compare metrics, and note where DA signal moved. Adjust the plan for days 16–30.
16. Day 16 – image optimization: ensure all images have alt text and relevant file names. Optimize 5 assets to boost crawl value.
17. Day 17 – schema update: add or refine structured data for 2 key pages to improve visibility signals without risking errors.
18. Day 18 – outreach follow-up: send follow-up messages to 2 partners; aim for a result or a firm response.
19. Day 19 – disavow execution: upload the approved disavow file to Google Search Console and monitor for any spikes in crawl errors.
20. Day 20 – linkable assets: create or refine 1 strong resource (data study, tool, or infographic) that others want to link to.
21. Day 21 – anchor text review: audit anchor distribution on 20 external links and correct obvious over-optimization with natural alternatives.
22. Day 22 – content update sprint: refresh 2 high-potential articles with fresh data and a new internal link to a pillar page.
23. Day 23 – navigation polish: simplify site navigation to reduce the number of clicks to reach key pages; recheck crawlability.
24. Day 24 – mobile experience: test mobile load times and usability; fix any blocking resources that hurt mobile speed.
25. Day 25 – external partnerships: finalize 1 guest post or collaboration that includes a high-quality back-link to a relevant asset.
26. Day 26 – keyword expansion: add 2 long-tail variations to target pages and adjust on-page copy to reflect intent signals.
27. Day 27 – competitive check: compare your DA trajectory with at least 2 competitors; note where you lag and where you outperform them.
28. Day 28 – signaling stability: confirm that crawl and index status is stable after changes; fix any new 404s or redirects.
29. Day 29 – documentation: log every change in a simple sheet: pages changed, link moves, disavow actions, and observed signal shifts.
30. Day 30 – final review and plan: run the walkthrough one last time, review overall gains, and define the next 30-day priorities based on observed correlation between linking moves and the DA score.

Throughout, use the checker to watch signal shifts, track metrics, and compare against your baseline. If youre testing new tactics, run A/B-style checks on a small set of pages to see which moves consistently raise the score. The process is iterative: started with a crawl, applied targeted tweaks, then verified results with repeat crawls and ongoing monitoring of referral and linking value.