Domain Rating vs Domain Authority: Are They the Same?
Short answer: No. Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA) are not the same thing, though they measure similar concepts. DR is Ahrefs' proprietary metric, while DA is Moz's proprietary metric. Both measure domain authority on a 0-100 scale, but they use different algorithms and update frequencies.
Think of them as two different scales measuring the same concept—like Celsius and Fahrenheit for temperature. Both tell you about domain authority, but they calculate it differently. A site might have DR 45 but DA 35, or vice versa, depending on how each algorithm weighs different factors.
Key takeaway: While DR and DA both measure domain authority, they're not interchangeable. Most SEOs prefer DR because it updates more frequently and provides better backlink analysis tools, but both metrics can be useful depending on your needs.
Key Differences Between DR and DA
Understanding the differences helps you choose the right metric for your SEO strategy:
Understanding the differences between DR and DA helps you choose the right metric for your SEO strategy.
Detailed Comparison: DR vs DA
Algorithm Differences
Domain Rating (DR)
- Focuses more on link quality and diversity
- Weights referring domains by their own DR
- Emphasizes high-authority backlinks
- Updates every 3-4 weeks
Domain Authority (DA)
- Considers both link volume and quality
- Uses machine learning algorithm
- Includes more factors in calculation
- Updates less frequently
Tool and Feature Comparison
Ahrefs (DR): Known for superior backlink analysis tools, larger backlink database, and more frequent updates. Ahrefs Site Explorer provides detailed backlink data, competitor analysis, and comprehensive link building tools. Many SEOs prefer Ahrefs for link building campaigns.
Moz (DA): Offers good SEO tools including keyword research, site audits, and local SEO features. Moz's Link Explorer provides solid backlink data, though the database is smaller than Ahrefs. Moz is popular for comprehensive SEO suites.
Which Is Better: Domain Rating or Domain Authority?
Most SEOs consider Domain Rating (DR) to be better for most SEO purposes, but the answer depends on your specific needs:
Why Domain Rating (DR) Is Often Preferred
- More frequent updates: DR updates every 3-4 weeks, giving you more current data for tracking progress
- Better backlink tools: Ahrefs provides superior backlink analysis, competitor research, and link building tools
- Stronger correlation: DR generally correlates better with actual ranking performance
- Larger database: Ahrefs has one of the largest backlink databases, providing more comprehensive data
- Wider adoption: DR is more widely used in the SEO community and link building industry
When Domain Authority (DA) Might Be Better
- If you already have a Moz subscription and are familiar with their tools
- If you need Moz's comprehensive SEO suite (keyword research, site audits, local SEO)
- If your clients or stakeholders are already familiar with DA
Bottom line: For most SEO professionals, DR is the better choice due to more frequent updates, better tools, and stronger correlation with rankings. However, both metrics measure domain authority effectively, so consistency matters more than which one you choose.
Which Metric Should You Track?
The most important factor is consistency. Pick one metric and track it over time rather than switching between DR and DA:
Track Domain Rating (DR) If:
- You're focused on link building and backlink analysis
- You want more frequent updates (every 3-4 weeks)
- You need superior backlink research tools
- You want the most widely used metric in SEO
Track Domain Authority (DA) If:
- You already have a Moz subscription
- You need Moz's full SEO suite (not just backlinks)
- Your team or clients are familiar with DA
- You prefer Moz's interface and tools
Pro tip: Don't try to track both metrics simultaneously—it can be confusing and counterproductive. Pick one (most SEOs choose DR) and stick with it. Consistency in tracking is more important than which metric you choose.
Choose one metric (DR or DA) and track it consistently for the best results.
Can You Convert Between DR and DA?
There's no exact conversion formula between DR and DA because they use different algorithms. However, there are some general patterns:
General Patterns (Not Exact)
- • DR and DA scores are often similar (within 5-10 points) for most websites
- • Some sites have significantly different scores (e.g., DR 50 but DA 35)
- • DR tends to be slightly higher than DA for sites with high-quality, diverse backlinks
- • DA might be higher for sites with many backlinks but lower quality
Important: Don't try to convert between metrics. Instead, pick one metric and focus on improving it. The absolute number matters less than the trend over time. A site improving from DR 20 to DR 30 is making progress, regardless of what its DA score might be.
Need Help Increasing Your Domain Rating?
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. When we confirm your DR boost via Ahrefs, you get a complete backlink report and ongoing monitoring.
Domain Rating vs Domain Authority FAQ
Are Domain Rating and Domain Authority the same thing?
No, Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA) are not the same thing, though they measure similar concepts. DR is Ahrefs' proprietary metric, while DA is Moz's proprietary metric. Both measure domain authority on a 0-100 scale, but they use different algorithms. DR focuses more on link quality and diversity, while DA considers link volume more heavily. DR updates more frequently (every 3-4 weeks) compared to DA.
What's the difference between Domain Rating and Domain Authority?
The main differences are: (1) DR is from Ahrefs, DA is from Moz; (2) DR focuses more on link quality, DA considers link volume; (3) DR updates every 3-4 weeks, DA updates less frequently; (4) DR provides better backlink analysis tools; (5) DR generally correlates better with actual ranking performance. Both use logarithmic scales and measure domain authority, but the algorithms differ significantly.
Which is better: Domain Rating or Domain Authority?
Domain Rating is generally considered better for most SEO purposes. DR updates more frequently, provides better backlink analysis tools, and correlates more strongly with actual ranking performance. Many SEOs prefer DR because Ahrefs offers superior link building tools and more accurate data. However, DA can still be useful for comparison and some SEOs track both metrics.
Can I use Domain Rating and Domain Authority interchangeably?
Not exactly. While both measure domain authority, they use different algorithms and can show different scores for the same domain. A site might have DR 45 but DA 35, or vice versa. It's best to pick one primary metric (most SEOs choose DR) and stick with it for consistency. Mixing metrics can be confusing when tracking progress over time.
How do I convert Domain Rating to Domain Authority?
There's no exact conversion formula because DR and DA use different algorithms. Generally, DR and DA scores are often similar (within 5-10 points) for most sites, but this isn't guaranteed. Some sites have significantly different scores. The best approach is to track one metric consistently rather than trying to convert between them. Focus on improving your chosen metric rather than comparing scores.
Should I track Domain Rating or Domain Authority?
Most SEOs recommend tracking Domain Rating (DR) because it updates more frequently, provides better backlink analysis tools, and correlates more strongly with ranking performance. DR is also more widely used in the SEO community. However, if you already have a Moz subscription and are familiar with DA, that can work too. The key is consistency—pick one metric and track it over time rather than switching between them.
Do Google rankings use Domain Rating or Domain Authority?
Google doesn't use either DR or DA directly in their ranking algorithm. Both are third-party metrics created by Ahrefs and Moz respectively. However, both metrics measure the same factors Google considers (backlink quality and authority), so high DR/DA domains typically rank better. Google uses its own internal algorithms that consider backlinks, but DR and DA are useful proxies for understanding your domain's authority.