What is domain authority?
Domain authority (DA) is a third-party search engine ranking prediction score created by Moz that estimates how likely a website is to rank in search results, separate from any official Google metric.
Domain authority, or DA, is a numerical score developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will perform in organic search rankings. The score runs from 1 to 100 and is calculated using machine learning models trained on Moz's index of millions of websites. It is not an official Google ranking factor or metric, and Google does not publish or endorse domain authority scores.
SEO professionals use DA when assessing website strength and when planning content and link-building strategy. A higher DA typically suggests a domain has earned more trust and links over time, though the score alone does not guarantee search visibility. DA updates periodically as Moz refreshes its link data.
Similar third-party metrics include Ahrefs' Domain Rating (DR), which works on the same principle of predicting ranking potential based on backlink profile. These scores serve as industry benchmarks for comparison, not as direct inputs to Google's algorithm. Malaysian SEO agencies and content teams often reference DA alongside other signals like page authority, link quality, and content relevance when evaluating site performance and competitive positioning.