Domain authority is a score, usually 0–100, that predicts how well a whole website can rank in search.
It is built by SEO tools like Moz and Ahrefs, mostly from your backlinks. Google does not use one public "authority score", but the idea behind it is real: trusted sites rank more easily.
Simply put: A credit score for your website. Higher means search engines trust it more.
Why it matters
- Benchmarking. A quick way to compare your site against competitors.
- Trend tracking. Watching it climb over time signals your authority is growing.
- Not a Google factor. It is a third-party estimate. Useful, but do not obsess over it.
How to raise it
- Earn quality backlinks. Links from trusted, relevant sites move it most.
- Cover your topic deeply. Be the most complete resource in your niche.
- Be patient. It grows with consistency, not overnight.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google use domain authority?
No. Domain authority is a third-party score from SEO tools like Moz and Ahrefs, not a Google ranking factor. It is a useful estimate of strength, not an official metric.
What is a good domain authority score?
It depends entirely on your niche. Rather than chasing a number, compare yours to the sites you actually compete with and watch whether the trend climbs over time.
How do I increase domain authority?
Earn quality backlinks from trusted, relevant sites and cover your topic deeply. It grows slowly with consistency, not through any quick trick.