Domain authority checker for one site or a whole list
The Rankmetr domain authority checker scores how strong a website is based on its backlinks, so you can size up competitors, pick link building targets and vet domains before you buy. The tool is in early access: leave your website and we will let you know when the free check opens.
Check domain authority
The free checker is in early access. Enter a domain and your work email, and we will tell you when it is ready, including bulk checks.
What is domain authority?
Domain authority is a score that estimates how strong a website is in search, based mostly on the quantity and quality of links pointing to it. The term comes from Moz, whose Domain Authority (DA) metric runs on a 100-point scale; Ahrefs calls its version Domain Rating (DR). Every SEO tool calculates its own score, so numbers from different tools are not directly comparable.
Google does not use any of these scores. Domain authority is a third-party metric: a quick way to judge sites relative to each other, not a ranking factor. It is still useful, because the links it measures are one of the signals Google does care about.
Factors that influence domain authority
- Referring domains: how many unique websites link to the domain.
- Strength of linking sites: links from strong domains count more than links from weak ones.
- Link quality: editorial links in content weigh more than links from directories, comments or footers.
- Spam signals: links from link networks and hacked sites can lower the score.
- Growth over time: a steady link profile looks more natural than a sudden spike.
How much domain authority is good?
There is no universal good number. A score makes sense only relative to your niche: check your own domain authority against the websites that rank for your keywords in search engine results. If competitors on page one all score far higher, you will need stronger backlinks or less competitive topics. If you are in the same range, content and technical work matter more.
The score is logarithmic in most authority metrics, so moving from a low score to a medium one is much easier than moving from medium to high. It is important to focus on the trend of your own website over time rather than on a single number.
What to use a domain authority check for
Link building
Sort outreach targets and guest post sites by strength before you spend time on them.
Competitor research
See how your domain stacks up against the sites that rank above you in your industry.
Buying domains
Vet an expired or aged domain before you buy it, together with its link history.
Bulk checks
Score a whole list of URLs or domains at once instead of pasting them one by one.
How to improve domain authority
Earn links from relevant, trusted sites: useful content people cite, digital PR, partner pages and mentions of your brand that do not link yet. Find domains that link to competitors but not to you with the backlink checker, fix broken pages that lose link value with the SEO checker, and avoid cheap link packages. Comparing data sources? See our Semrush and Ahrefs alternative.
FAQ
How do I check my domain authority?
Enter your domain in the checker. It shows a score based on your backlinks; read it next to your competitors rather than alone.
Is domain authority a Google ranking factor?
No. Google does not use Domain Authority or Domain Rating. These are SEO tool metrics that estimate link strength.
What is the difference between Domain Authority and Page Authority?
Domain Authority scores a whole website; Page Authority scores a single page by the links pointing to that page.
What is the difference between DA and DR?
DA is the Moz metric and DR is the Ahrefs metric. Both estimate link strength, with different data and formulas, so the numbers differ for the same site.
Can I check domain authority in bulk?
Yes. A bulk check scores a list of domains at once, which helps when you vet outreach targets or domains for sale.
How long does it take to improve domain authority?
Usually months. The score grows as you earn links from strong sites, and the higher it is, the slower it moves.
Get early access to the domain authority checker
Leave your website and work email. We will tell you when the free check opens.