Is Domain Rating Important in SEO?

The short answer is: Domain Rating itself doesn't matter for SEO, but what DR measures (backlinks) absolutely does. Google's search algorithm doesn't use Ahrefs' Domain Rating metric when ranking websites. However, Domain Rating is an excellent indicator of backlink profile quality, and backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors.

Think of Domain Rating as a thermometer—it tells you the temperature (backlink quality) but doesn't control it. What actually matters for SEO is earning quality backlinks from authoritative, relevant domains. High-DR sites tend to have strong backlink profiles, so DR is useful for identifying quality link opportunities, but the DR score itself isn't what Google uses to rank your site.

This guide explains why backlinks matter more than Domain Rating scores, how to get quality backlinks, and recommended services that can help you build a strong backlink profile that improves both your SEO rankings and your Domain Rating.

Domain Rating is a Metric, Not a Ranking Factor: Domain Rating is Ahrefs' proprietary metric that measures backlink profile strength. It's a useful tool for understanding your site's authority, but Google doesn't use DR in its ranking algorithm. Google has its own way of evaluating backlinks and domain authority that we don't have full visibility into.

Backlinks Are a Ranking Factor: Google explicitly uses backlinks as a ranking signal. Quality backlinks from authoritative, relevant domains signal to Google that your content is valuable and trustworthy. The more quality backlinks you have, the better your chances of ranking well in search results.

The Connection: High-DR domains typically have strong backlink profiles, which is why they rank well. When you earn backlinks from high-DR sites, you're getting links from domains that Google already trusts. This is why Domain Rating is useful—it helps you identify quality link opportunities, even though the DR score itself isn't what Google uses.

Focus on Backlinks, Not DR Scores: Instead of obsessing over your Domain Rating number, focus on earning quality backlinks from authoritative domains. As you build a stronger backlink profile, your DR will naturally increase. Quality backlinks improve both your SEO rankings and your Domain Rating, so they're the real priority.

Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors in Google's algorithm. Here's why they matter so much for SEO:

Authority Signals: Backlinks from authoritative domains signal to Google that your content is valuable and trustworthy. When high-authority sites link to you, Google interprets this as a vote of confidence in your content quality. This is why links from DR 60+ domains are so valuable—they come from sites Google already trusts.

Crawlability: Backlinks help Google discover and crawl your pages. When other sites link to your content, Google's crawlers follow those links to find and index your pages. More backlinks mean more pathways for Google to discover your content.

Relevance Signals: Backlinks from relevant, topical sites signal to Google that your content is relevant to specific topics. Links from sites in your industry carry more weight than links from unrelated domains. This is why niche-specific directories and industry publications are so valuable.

Trust and Credibility: Quality backlinks build trust and credibility in Google's eyes. Sites with strong backlink profiles are seen as more trustworthy, which can improve rankings across all your pages, not just the ones with direct backlinks.

Competitive Advantage: In competitive niches, backlinks often determine which sites rank in the top positions. If your competitors have stronger backlink profiles, they'll likely outrank you, even if your content is better. Building quality backlinks is essential for competing effectively.

Getting quality backlinks requires consistent effort and the right strategies. Here are the most effective ways to earn backlinks that boost your SEO:

Directory Submissions: Getting listed on high-DR business directories and SaaS directories is one of the fastest ways to earn quality backlinks. Directories like G2, Capterra, Product Hunt, and industry-specific platforms provide dofollow backlinks that directly contribute to your SEO. Check out our guides on Best SaaS Directories and Best Business Listing Directories to find high-quality directory opportunities.

Guest Posting: Writing guest posts for high-authority blogs in your industry is an excellent way to earn quality backlinks. Focus on sites with DR 50+ that are relevant to your niche. Provide valuable, well-researched content that naturally earns editorial backlinks.

Broken Link Building: Find broken links on high-DR sites in your niche, create replacement content, and suggest it to site owners. This often results in quick backlink placements because you're solving a real problem for the site owner.

Resource Page Outreach: Find curated resource pages ("Best Tools for X", "Top Resources") and request inclusion. These pages often have high DR and provide valuable dofollow backlinks. Research shows that resource pages are one of the most effective link building strategies.

Create Linkable Assets: Develop content that naturally attracts backlinks: original research, comprehensive guides, tools, calculators, or data visualizations. Linkable assets earn editorial backlinks because they provide unique value that others want to cite or reference.

Digital PR: Create newsworthy content, research, or data that gets picked up by media outlets and industry publications. Press coverage from high-authority sites provides valuable backlinks and brand visibility.

Unlinked Mentions: Use tools to find places where your brand or product is mentioned but not linked. Reach out to request that mentions be converted to backlinks. This is often easier than earning new mentions because the site owner already knows about you.

Building backlinks yourself takes significant time and effort. These services can help you get quality backlinks more efficiently: