Domain Authority vs Domain Rating
Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR) answer the same question, how strong a site’s links are, with different data and different math. That’s why one site can show very different numbers on each. Here’s how they compare and which one to use for what.
DA vs DR at a glance
| Domain Authority (DA) | Domain Rating (DR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Moz | Ahrefs |
| Scale | 1 to 100, logarithmic | 0 to 100 |
| Built from | Moz’s link index: linking root domains, total links and more | Ahrefs’ link index: unique linking domains, their strength, and how many sites each links to |
| Spam signals | Spam Score folded in since the 2019 rebuild | Not considered, per Ahrefs |
| Page-level partner | Page Authority (PA) | URL Rating (UR) |
| Used by Google | No | No |
Why your DA and DR don’t match
- Different crawlers. Moz and Ahrefs each crawl the web themselves, so each finds links the other misses.
- Different math. DR splits each linking domain’s rating across every domain it links to, so a domain that links to thousands of sites passes each of them almost nothing. DA weighs links its own way and factors in Spam Score.
- Different update schedules. Each company recalculates on its own timeline, so one score can move while the other sits still.
A gap between your two numbers isn’t a problem to fix. It just means you’re reading two different rulers.
Does either one matter to Google?
Not directly. Moz’s own description says DA plays no part in Google’s rankings, and Ahrefs notes that Google representatives consistently deny using “domain authority” as a ranking factor. Both still line up with rankings to a degree, because both are built from links, and links are something Google does use. Treat them as estimates of link strength, not as levers.
Which one to use
- Use the one your tools already show. If you pay for Ahrefs, use DR; if you use Moz, use DA. Semrush has its own Authority Score that plays the same role.
- Never mix them. Comparing your DR with a competitor’s DA tells you nothing. Look up every site in the same tool.
- Drop to page level for single searches. For any one search, the PA or UR of the ranking pages matters more than either domain score. Ahrefs says its page-level UR correlates with rankings better than DR.
- Pick one and stay with it. Progress only shows when you watch the same number month after month.
What both scores agree on
Strip away the formulas and DA and DR reward the same thing: links from many different, genuinely strong sites that don’t link out to everyone. Earn those and both numbers rise. How to increase Domain Authority lists the methods that work, and what is a good Domain Authority covers how to judge your score.
Tracking DR without a paid Ahrefs plan
If DR is your number, SERP DR gives any domain a free public DR page and badge. Its paid plan adds weekly updates, email notifications, and milestones and goals for tracking progress.
Frequently asked questions
Is DR better than DA?
Neither is more correct. Each reflects its own company’s link index and formula. Ahrefs says its page-level URL Rating tracks rankings better than DR, which is a reminder that page metrics often matter more than either domain score.
Why is my DR higher than my DA?
Usually because Ahrefs has found more of your links, or values them differently. DR counts unique referring domains and how many other sites each one links to, while DA weighs links its own way and folds in Spam Score.
Does Domain Authority matter for SEO?
As a guide, yes; as a goal, no. Google doesn’t use it. What helps rankings is the thing DA is built from: links from relevant, trusted sites to useful pages.
Should I track DA or DR?
Whichever matches the tool you already use, as long as you stick with it. Switching between them makes progress impossible to read, because the same site scores differently on each.
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