Domain Authority Checker
Check and compare domain authority scores for competitive SEO analysis. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Domain Authority Checker
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Formula: DA = f(log(backlinks), log(referring domains), age, log(pages), log(traffic))
Worked example — Estimated DA: 78 — Strong authority, well-established site
Formula
DA = f(log(backlinks), log(referring domains), age, log(pages), log(traffic))
Domain Authority is estimated using a logarithmic model inspired by Moz's methodology. Each factor is scored on a weighted scale: backlinks (up to 30 points), referring domain diversity (up to 30 points), domain age (up to 15 points), content volume (up to 10 points), and organic traffic (up to 15 points). The logarithmic scale reflects the diminishing returns of additional links.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Mid-Size Business Blog
Problem:Estimate DA for a site with 2,500 backlinks, 180 referring domains, 4 years old, 200 pages, and 5,000 monthly organic visits.
Solution:Backlink score: log10(2501) x 8 = 27.2 (cap 30) Referring domains: log10(181) x 10 = 22.6 (cap 30) Age score: 4 x 1.5 = 6.0 (cap 15) Page score: log10(201) x 4 = 9.2 (cap 10) Traffic score: log10(5001) x 3.5 = 12.9 (cap 15) Total raw = 27.2 + 22.6 + 6.0 + 9.2 + 12.9 = 77.9 Estimated DA = 78
Result:Estimated DA: 78 — Strong authority, well-established site
Example 2: New Startup Website
Problem:Estimate DA for a site with 50 backlinks, 25 referring domains, 1 year old, 30 pages, no significant traffic yet.
Solution:Backlink score: log10(51) x 8 = 13.7 Referring domains: log10(26) x 10 = 14.1 Age score: 1 x 1.5 = 1.5 Page score: log10(31) x 4 = 6.0 Traffic score: 0 Total raw = 13.7 + 14.1 + 1.5 + 6.0 + 0 = 35.3 Estimated DA = 35
Result:Estimated DA: 35 — Building phase, needs more referring domains
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Domain Authority (DA) and how is it calculated?
Domain Authority 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 logarithmic scale from 1 to 100, DA is calculated using multiple factors including the number and quality of inbound links, referring domain diversity, domain age, and various other signals. The logarithmic scale means improving from DA 20 to 30 is significantly easier than improving from 70 to 80. It is important to understand that DA is a relative metric, not an absolute one — it is most useful for comparing websites in competitive analysis rather than as a standalone quality indicator. Google does not use DA as a ranking factor, but the underlying signals DA measures are important.
What is the difference between Domain Authority and Page Authority?
Domain Authority (DA) measures the overall ranking strength of an entire domain or website, while Page Authority (PA) measures the ranking strength of a single specific page. A website might have a high DA of 70 but individual blog posts with PA scores ranging from 20 to 50, depending on how many links each page has earned. When building links, you want links from high-DA domains pointing to your specific pages. A homepage link from a DA 50 site is typically more valuable than an internal blog link from a DA 80 site. Both metrics use similar calculations but at different scope levels. For competitive analysis, DA helps identify strong competitor domains, while PA helps identify their strongest individual content pieces.
How can I improve my domain authority score?
Improving DA requires a sustained, multi-faceted approach to link building and content strategy. First, create exceptional linkable assets — original research, comprehensive guides, free tools, and infographics that naturally attract backlinks. Second, pursue strategic guest posting on relevant, high-authority sites in your niche. Third, build relationships with journalists and bloggers through platforms like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) to earn editorial mentions. Fourth, conduct broken link building by finding dead links on authoritative sites and offering your content as a replacement. Fifth, ensure your technical SEO is solid: fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, proper site architecture, and clean internal linking. Disavow toxic or spammy backlinks that could drag your score down.
Why is referring domain diversity important for SEO?
Referring domain diversity — the number of unique websites linking to yours — is one of the strongest ranking signals in modern SEO. Having 100 backlinks from 100 different domains is significantly more valuable than 100 backlinks from a single domain. Search engines interpret links from diverse sources as broader validation of your content quality and relevance. A natural backlink profile typically shows a ratio of 2-5 total backlinks per referring domain. Extremely high ratios (like 50:1) might indicate link schemes or sitewide footer links that carry less value. Focus your link building efforts on acquiring links from new domains rather than multiple links from domains you already have, as each additional link from the same domain provides diminishing returns.
How does domain age affect search rankings and authority?
Domain age contributes to authority through several mechanisms. Older domains have had more time to accumulate backlinks, build brand recognition, and establish trust signals. Google has confirmed that domain age itself is not a direct ranking factor, but the accumulated history and link profile of an older domain provides indirect benefits. A 10-year-old domain with a consistent history of quality content and natural link growth will typically outrank a 6-month-old domain on similar topics, all else being equal. However, domain age alone does not guarantee rankings — a new domain with excellent content and strong link building can outperform an aged but neglected competitor. The key is the cumulative quality of signals built over time, not the calendar age itself.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy
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