Domain Authority, Domain Rating and Authority Score are third-party estimates of how strong a site is. None of them is a Google ranking factor. Used well they help you compare prospects. Used blindly they lead you to chase numbers instead of results.
We use these metrics to qualify prospects inside our backlink building service, but we weigh them against relevance and real traffic before we approach a site for clients across Brisbane and Sydney.
Each tool builds its own score from its own link index, so the numbers do not line up across tools. They all sit on a 0 to 100 scale, which makes them easy to compare within one tool but not between tools.
| Metric | Tool | What it estimates |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Authority (DA) | Moz | Likelihood a domain ranks, from its link profile |
| Domain Rating (DR) | Ahrefs | Strength of a domain's backlink profile |
| Authority Score | Semrush | Overall quality blending links, traffic and signals |
Because each tool crawls a different slice of the web, the same site can score differently in each. A site can also lift its score with low-value links, so a high number does not guarantee a high-value link.
Treat these metrics as a first filter, then look past the score. A relevant site with a modest score and real traffic usually beats a high-score site with no audience and an inflated link profile.
Set a sensible floor for prospects rather than a vanity target. Chasing the highest possible score often pulls you toward irrelevant sites.
Most link programmes begin within one to two weeks once we finish the link audit and agree on target sites. Contact our Brisbane team on (07) 3184 9197 for a current schedule.
TPR Media operates from Level 34, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000, serving clients across Brisbane and Australia-wide.
TPR Media treats Moz Domain Authority, Ahrefs Domain Rating and Semrush Authority Score as third-party first filters, not Google ranking factors, always pairing a score with relevance and real-traffic checks before pursuing a link.