Domain Authority – What is it and How to Improve it

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Domain Authority is a metric created by Moz that dynamically assigns a 0 to 100 score based on how well any given domain is expected to rank on search engines. So basically, the higher your Domain Authority, the more likely your domain will rank well on Google and similar search engines.

What Does the 0 to 100 Domain Authority Score Mean?

The 0 to 100 score is based on a logarithmic scale. This means that it is significantly easier to improve a ranking of 10 to 20 than increase one from 50 to 60. The logarithmic Domain Authority scale was chosen to parallel how search engines assign rank and authority more accurately.

Why is Domain Authority Important

Domain authority is a signal of trust. It would be best if you wanted your website and brand to be as authentic as possible as a business. Domain Authority is not only an excellent measuring stick to gauge your standing in this regard, but it can also be used to ensure your website is associated with authentic sources.

How is Domain Authority Calculated?

Domain Authority is calculated by keeping track of several variables. Some of the most important variables and factors used to score your domain include:
  • Linking root domains
  • The number of total links
  • Number of inbound external links
  • The number of outbound external links
  • And more

How to Determine Your Domain Authority

Finding your Domain Authority score is quite simple. Several top-name SEO tools and online marketing platforms dynamically track your Moz Domain Authority score. The easiest way to find your score is to install the MozBar SEO toolbar on your browser of choice. You can also use Link Explorer from Moz as well as their API.

Why Did Your Domain Authority Change?

Since Domain Authority is a multi-faceted and complex ranking system, determining exactly why your score has fallen can be difficult. However, some of the most common reasons for a falling Domain Authority score (according to Moz themselves) include:
  • High authority sites grew their links substantially, skewing the algorithm’s scaling process.
  • Inbound links to your site that do not contribute to Google and other search engine ranking algorithms (low authority sites)
  • A recent Moz crawl of your site resulted in fewer (or more) linking domains than a previous crawl.
  • Moz hasn’t indexed your recent link growth.
  • Your score is on the lower end of the scale, meaning more minor changes can have a more significant negative impact.

How to Improve Your Domain Authority Score

Again, since Domain Authority is a complex ranking system, directly impacting it in meaningful ways can be difficult. This is done on purpose. Moz wants its Domain Authority score to accurately depict what domains will perform well on Google and similar search engines. Having an easy-to-influence score would take away from the legitimacy of the entire Domain Authority system. However, that does not mean it is impossible or unwise to try and positively impact your Domain Authority score. According to Moz, the best way to improve your score is to improve your site’s SEO overall. You are doing that and generally focusing on generating and earning high-authority links from other well-linked pages.

Sounds too Complicated? Let Contractor Advertising Help

Domain Authority is a highly complex system. Understandably, most site owners and web content creators would feel overwhelmed by it. But don’t let that stop you from trying to build the highest Domain Authority ranking site that you can. And, if all this seems too complicated, you can always reach out to the SEO and Domain Authority experts at Contractor Advertising!