what is domain authority and should you care?

So, you’ve heard the phrase “domain authority” tossed around in SEO meetings, webinars, and probably even in your dreams if you’re deep enough into digital marketing. But what is domain authority, really? And should you, a busy business owner or digital marketer, actually care about it — or is it just another number to stress about between coffee breaks? Let’s break it down, with a little wit and a lot of practical advice.

Domain Authority: The Elevator Pitch

Domain authority (DA) is a score, usually between 1 and 100, that predicts how likely your website is to rank in search engine results compared to your competitors. Think of it as your website’s “street cred” on the internet, calculated by Moz and mimicked by other SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush (each with their own flavor of authority metrics).

The higher your domain authority, the more likely you are to outrank others for those juicy, competitive keywords. It’s not a direct ranking factor for Google, but it’s a pretty good compass for your SEO journey — like a weather forecast for your website’s visibility.

What Goes Into Domain Authority?

Domain authority isn’t just a random number generated by a bored algorithm. It’s based on several factors, including:

The quality and quantity of inbound links (backlinks)
The age of your domain (sorry, new kids)
The overall SEO health of your site

Moz’s algorithm uses machine learning to crunch these numbers, and while the exact recipe is a secret (like the Colonel’s chicken), we know that backlinks from reputable sites are the main ingredient. If you’re getting links from industry leaders, your DA will likely rise faster than your caffeine intake on a Monday morning.

Why Should You Pay Attention to Domain Authority?

Let’s be honest: there are enough metrics in SEO to make your head spin. But domain authority is worth a glance, and here’s why:

1. Competitive Benchmarking

DA gives you a way to size up your website against your competitors. If your DA is 20 and your main rival’s is 60, you might want to rethink your strategy — or at least your lunch break plans.

2. Tracking SEO Progress

It’s a handy metric to see if your SEO efforts are paying off. If your DA is climbing, chances are your organic rankings and traffic are too.

3. Guiding Content and Link Building

Knowing your DA helps you set realistic keyword targets. If you’re a DA 15 site, aiming for “best CRM software” might be a bit ambitious. Start with less competitive keywords and work your way up.

4. Protecting Your Turf

A higher DA can help you hold onto your rankings and make it harder for competitors to swoop in and steal your traffic. It’s like putting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your SERP position.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

According to Ahrefs, there’s a direct correlation between high domain authority (or Domain Rating, as they call it) and high rankings in search results. Sites with higher DA not only rank better but also tend to rank for a broader range of keywords. Moz and Ahrefs both back this up with data and case studies.

And here’s a fun stat: 91% of all pages never get any organic traffic from Google, mostly because they don’t have any backlinks. In other words, building your DA isn’t just a vanity project — it’s essential for getting noticed.

The Catch: Domain Authority Isn’t Everything

Before you start obsessively refreshing your DA score, remember: it’s not a Google ranking factor. Google has publicly stated that it doesn’t use DA in its algorithms. DA is a third-party metric, useful for comparison but not the be-all and end-all of SEO.

As John Mueller from Google puts it, “Google doesn’t use domain authority at all.” So, while it’s a helpful guide, don’t let it dictate your entire strategy. Focus on creating valuable content and earning real, relevant backlinks.

How Domain Authority Impacts Organic Traffic

Here’s where things get interesting: higher DA sites tend to rank more easily and for more keywords. This means more organic traffic, more leads, and — if you’re lucky — more sales.

Higher SERP positions: DA correlates with better rankings, which means more eyeballs on your content.
Faster ranking for new content: Established authority helps your new blog posts get indexed and ranked quicker.
Broader keyword reach: High DA sites often rank for long-tail and competitive keywords alike.

In short, DA is like compound interest for your website: the more you have, the faster you grow.

How to Improve Your Domain Authority (Without Losing Your Mind)

Ready for the magic formula? Here’s how to boost your DA:

Build High-Quality Backlinks: Focus on earning links from reputable, relevant sites. Guest posting, digital PR, and creating link-worthy content are your friends.
Create Authoritative Content: Go deep, answer questions, and become the go-to resource in your niche.
Fix Technical SEO Issues: Make sure your site loads fast, is mobile-friendly, and has no broken links.
Remove Toxic Backlinks: Disavow spammy links that could drag your DA down.
Stay Consistent: Publish regularly and keep your content fresh.

And if all this sounds overwhelming, well, that’s where we come in.

How Blogging Machine Makes Domain Authority (and SEO) Effortless

At bloggingmachine.io, we know that building domain authority can feel like a never-ending game of digital whack-a-mole. That’s why we’ve built an AI-powered platform that automates content creation, keyword optimization, and topic research — so you can focus on running your business, not wrangling with Google.

Our AI agent generates SEO-optimized articles that attract backlinks, engage readers, and help boost your domain authority over time. No more late-night writing sessions or keyword-stuffing headaches — just high-quality, consistent content that works.

Want to see how effortless SEO blogging can be? Check us out here.

FAQ: Domain Authority Demystified

What is a good domain authority score?

There’s no universal “good” score — it’s all relative to your industry and competitors. Generally, a DA of 40-50 is average, 50-60 is good, and 60+ is excellent. But if your competitors are all in the 20s, a DA of 30 makes you the cool kid on the block.

How often does domain authority update?

Moz updates DA scores about once a month. Other tools may update more or less frequently. Don’t panic if your score fluctuates — it’s normal.

Can I buy domain authority?

Nope. You can buy backlinks (not recommended), but DA is earned through genuine SEO efforts. Google frowns on paid links, and so should you.

Is domain authority the same as page authority?

Not quite. Domain authority measures your whole site; page authority measures individual pages. Both are useful, but DA gives you the big picture.

Does Google use domain authority?

No. Google doesn’t use DA as a ranking factor. It’s a third-party metric, but it’s still a handy way to benchmark your progress.

Final Thoughts

Domain authority isn’t the only metric that matters, but it’s a useful one — especially if you’re looking to outshine your competitors and grow your organic traffic. Focus on building great content, earning quality backlinks, and keeping your site in tip-top shape. Or, let us handle it for you at bloggingmachine.io. We promise, your lunch breaks will thank you.

What Is Domain Authority and Should You Care?