Why Check Your Domain Rating?
Domain Rating is a key indicator of your website's backlink authority and overall SEO health. Regularly checking your DR helps you:
- Track your SEO progress over time
- Benchmark against competitors
- Identify link building opportunities
- Measure the impact of your link building campaigns
- Make informed decisions about which domains to target for backlinks
Understanding how to check DR accurately and interpret the results is crucial for effective SEO strategy.
How to Check Domain Rating in Ahrefs
Ahrefs is the most accurate tool for checking DR since it's their proprietary metric. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Access Ahrefs Site Explorer
Go to Ahrefs Site Explorer and enter your domain (e.g., example.com) in the search bar. You can check any domain, not just your own.
Step 2: View the Overview Page
The overview page displays your Domain Rating prominently, along with:
- Current DR score (0–100)
- Referring domains count
- Total backlinks
- DR distribution of linking domains
- Historical DR chart showing trends over time
Step 3: Analyze Your Backlink Profile
Click on "Backlinks" to see detailed information about:
- Which domains are linking to you
- The DR of each referring domain
- Link types (dofollow vs. nofollow)
- Anchor text distribution
- Link quality signals
Step 4: Compare with Competitors
Use Ahrefs' "Compare" feature to analyze multiple domains side-by-side. This helps you benchmark your DR against competitors and identify link opportunities you might be missing.
Free Tools to Check Domain Rating
While Ahrefs provides the most comprehensive DR data, several free options are available for basic checks:
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (Free)
Verify your site in Ahrefs Webmaster Tools to access basic DR data for free. This includes your current DR score, referring domains count, and limited backlink information. Perfect for monitoring your own site's DR.
How to use: Sign up for a free Ahrefs account, verify your site ownership, and access basic DR metrics in the dashboard.
Browser Extensions
Install browser extensions like MozBar or Ahrefs SEO Toolbar to see DR (or DA) when visiting any website. These tools display metrics directly in your browser, making it easy to check DR on-the-go.
Popular extensions: MozBar (shows DA), Ahrefs SEO Toolbar, SEOquake. Most are free and work with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Free DR Checker Tools
Various websites offer free DR checks with limited features. These tools typically allow a few free checks per day and provide basic DR scores without detailed backlink analysis.
Limitations: Free tools often have rate limits, less accurate data, and limited historical information compared to paid Ahrefs subscriptions.
Tools Comparison: Best Options to Check DR
Different tools offer varying levels of DR data and features. Here's a comparison to help you choose:
How to Interpret Your Domain Rating Score
Understanding what your DR score means is crucial for setting realistic goals and measuring progress:
DR 0–20: New or Low-Authority Site
Sites in this range are typically new or have minimal backlink profiles. Focus on earning your first quality backlinks, fixing technical SEO issues, and publishing foundational content. DR 20+ is a solid milestone for new sites.
DR 21–40: Growing Authority
You've established a foundation and are building momentum. Continue earning niche-relevant backlinks and building topical authority. DR 30–40 is competitive for most businesses.
DR 41–60: Competitive
Strong authority that puts you ahead of most competitors. Focus on securing DR 60+ backlinks, optimizing internal links, and defending your position. DR 50+ is excellent for most industries.
DR 61–80: Trusted Brand
Exceptional authority typically reserved for established brands and major publishers. Invest in digital PR, thought leadership, and multi-channel SEO. DR 70+ is exceptional and rare.
DR 81–100: Industry Leader
The highest tier of domain authority, typically only achieved by major brands like Wikipedia, Google, or established media companies. Focus on defending authority and scaling content velocity.
Checking Competitor Domain Rating
Analyzing competitor DR helps you benchmark performance and identify opportunities:
1. Identify top competitors: List 5–10 competitors ranking for your target keywords. These are the sites you need to compete with.
2. Check their DR in Ahrefs: Enter each competitor domain in Site Explorer and note their DR score, referring domains count, and backlink profile quality.
3. Compare metrics: Use Ahrefs' "Compare" feature to analyze multiple competitors side-by-side. Look for patterns: which competitors have higher DR, where do they get their backlinks, and what's their link building strategy?
4. Find link opportunities: Analyze competitor backlinks to identify sites linking to them but not to you. These represent potential link building opportunities.
5. Set realistic goals: If your competitors average DR 45 and you're at DR 25, aim to reach DR 35–40 as an initial goal. Set incremental targets based on competitor analysis.
Understanding DR vs. Other Metrics
When checking domain authority, you'll encounter several metrics. Here's how DR compares:
DR (Ahrefs) vs. DA (Moz): Both measure domain authority on a 0–100 scale, but use different algorithms. DR focuses more on link quality, while DA considers link volume. Many SEOs prefer DR because it updates more frequently and provides better backlink analysis tools.
DR vs. URL Rating (UR): DR measures domain-level authority, while UR measures individual page strength. A page's UR depends on its own backlinks plus inherited authority from the domain. High DR domains typically have higher average UR across pages.
Which to track: Use DR for overall domain health and link building strategy. Use UR for page-specific optimization. Track both metrics to get a complete picture of your SEO performance.
Tips for Accurate DR Checking
Check regularly, but not obsessively: DR updates every 3–4 weeks, so checking daily won't show changes. Check monthly to track meaningful progress.
Use consistent tools: Stick with Ahrefs for DR checks since it's their metric. Mixing tools (Ahrefs for DR, Moz for DA) can be confusing when tracking progress.
Look beyond the number: DR is one metric. Also check referring domains count, backlink quality, and historical trends. A rising referring domains count with stable DR suggests you're earning links from lower-DR sources.
Context matters: Compare your DR to industry benchmarks and competitors, not arbitrary goals. DR 30 might be excellent for a local business but low for a SaaS company.
Track historical trends: Use Ahrefs' historical DR chart to see long-term trends. Gradual upward trends indicate sustainable growth, while sudden spikes can signal manipulative tactics.
Need Help Improving Your Domain Rating?
Once you've checked your DR, you might want to improve it. Our team specializes in securing high-quality backlinks from DR 60–90 domains that deliver fast, sustainable DR improvements. We handle the entire process: research, outreach, content creation, and relationship building.
How to Check Domain Rating FAQ
How do I check Domain Rating for free?
Use Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free) to check DR for verified sites. Browser extensions like MozBar or Ahrefs SEO Toolbar display DR when visiting websites. Some free tools offer limited DR checks, but for comprehensive analysis, an Ahrefs subscription provides the most accurate data.
What's the best tool to check Domain Rating?
Ahrefs Site Explorer is the most accurate tool since DR is their proprietary metric. It provides detailed DR data, historical trends, referring domains count, and backlink analysis. Moz's Domain Authority (DA) is a similar metric but uses a different algorithm.
Can I check Domain Rating without an Ahrefs account?
Yes, through free tools like Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, browser extensions, or limited free checks. However, these provide basic data. For comprehensive DR analysis, historical trends, and competitor comparison, an Ahrefs subscription is recommended.
How often does Domain Rating update?
Ahrefs recalculates DR approximately every 3–4 weeks as they re-crawl the web. Your DR score won't change immediately after earning new links—patience is required. Track referring domains count as a leading indicator since it updates faster.
What's a good Domain Rating score?
DR 20–30 is solid for most websites. DR 40–50 indicates strong authority. DR 60+ is excellent and competitive. DR 70+ is exceptional, typically reserved for major brands. Compare your DR to industry benchmarks and competitors for context.
How do I check competitor Domain Rating?
Enter competitor domains in Ahrefs Site Explorer to view their DR, referring domains, and backlink profiles. Use the 'Compare' feature to analyze multiple competitors side-by-side. This helps you benchmark your performance and identify link opportunities.