Domain Rating vs Domain Authority is one of the most common questions in SEO: two scores from 0 to 100, from two different tools, that people use to judge how strong a website is. They look almost identical, yet they are not the same metric — and mixing them up leads to bad link-buying decisions. In this guide I explain exactly what DR and DA measure, how they differ, which one to trust, and how to raise both, based on 12 years of experience and more than 1,735 completed link-building projects.
Last updated: October 2026
Domain Rating vs Domain Authority: The Quick Answer
Domain Authority (DA) is a score developed by Moz that predicts how well a domain may rank in search results. Domain Rating (DR) is a score developed by Ahrefs that measures only the strength of a website’s backlink profile. In short, Moz Domain Authority vs Ahrefs Domain Rating is a comparison of two different estimates. Both use a 0–100 logarithmic scale, but they use different link databases and different formulas — so the same website can show, for example, DA 28 and DR 41.
What Is Domain Authority (DA)?
Domain Authority was created by Moz. It estimates the overall ranking strength of a domain using many link signals, such as the number of linking root domains and the quality of those links. The higher the number, the stronger the link profile is according to Moz’s estimate.
Because the scale is logarithmic, moving from DA 20 to DA 30 is much easier than moving from DA 70 to DA 80. DA also changes when Moz updates its index, which happens roughly monthly.
What Is Domain Rating (DR)?
Domain Rating is Ahrefs’ metric. It looks only at backlinks: how many unique domains link to you and how strong those domains are themselves. Ahrefs maintains one of the largest link databases in the industry and refreshes it frequently, so DR often reacts faster to new links than DA does.
Key Differences Between DR and DA
| Factor | DA — Moz | DR — Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Developed by | Moz | Ahrefs |
| Scale | 0 – 100 | 0 – 100 |
| What it measures | Predicted ranking strength (many link signals) | Strength of the backlink profile only |
| Link database | Medium-sized | One of the largest worldwide |
| Update frequency | About monthly | About weekly |
| Popularity in the Arabic market | Much more widely used | Less known, but growing |
The practical takeaway: neither number is “right” and neither is “fake”. They are two different estimates, so compare sites using the same tool, and never compare a DA number to a DR number.
Which Matters More: DA or DR?
It depends on who is asking. Many professional SEOs prefer DR because it focuses purely on backlinks and is updated more often. Clients and webmasters in many markets — including the Arabic-speaking world — still ask for DA first, because it is the older and more recognizable name. My advice is to look at both, then check the actual website: does it have real traffic, is it relevant to your niche, and is its content genuine? A high score on a site with no visitors is a weak link.
Do DA and DR Affect Google Rankings?
No. Both are third-party metrics — Google does not use DA or DR as ranking factors. Their value is as a quick estimate of link-profile strength and as a way to benchmark yourself against competitors. The links themselves, however, remain one of the strongest ranking signals, which is why raising DA and DR through quality links usually goes together with better visibility.
| Metric | Developed by | Does it directly affect Google? |
|---|---|---|
| DA | Moz | No — external metric |
| DR | Ahrefs | No — external metric |
| PageRank | Yes — but not publicly shown | |
| Core Web Vitals | Yes — official ranking factor |
How Long Does It Take to Raise DA and DR?
An honest answer: it depends on your starting score and the quality of the links you build. These are typical timelines I see:
| Current DA/DR | Expected time to improve | Recommended strategy |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 | 30 – 60 days | Forum backlinks + guest posts |
| 10 to 30 | 60 – 90 days | DA/DR Boost service |
| 30 to 50 | 90 – 180 days | Monthly package + guest posts |
| Above 50 | 6+ months | VIP monthly + Digital PR |
Tip: don’t check your score every day. Moz and Ahrefs refresh their data weekly to monthly, so check every 30 days and spend your time building links instead. Results are never guaranteed as exact numbers, because DA and DR depend on the tools’ own algorithms.
How to Increase Both DA and DR
- Earn links from relevant, trusted sites — one strong, relevant link is worth far more than many weak ones.
- Diversify your link sources — guest posts, forum discussions, niche directories and digital PR all look natural together.
- Publish link-worthy content — original data, guides and tools attract links on their own.
- Avoid spammy networks — they can inflate a number briefly but hurt the site over time.
- Be patient and consistent — steady monthly link building beats one-off bursts.
For a detailed step-by-step plan, read my guide on how to increase your DA.
Want Targeted DA and DR Results in 15–20 Days?
If you don’t want to wait months, my DA/DR Boost service is built for exactly this: a focused, white-hat link plan aimed at raising your Domain Authority or Domain Rating, with targeted results in around 15–20 days. I have delivered more than 1,735 projects over 12+ years, so you get a proven process rather than guesswork.
- Want to raise Moz DA? Order the DA Boost
- Want to raise Ahrefs DR? Order the DR Boost
- Not sure which one you need? See the DA/DR Boost details
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DR the same as DA?
No. DA is Moz’s metric and DR is Ahrefs’ metric. They use different databases and formulas, so the same site can have different numbers in each.
Which is better, DA or DR?
Neither is universally better. DR focuses purely on backlinks and updates more often, while DA is more widely recognized. Check both and also evaluate the real website behind the number.
Does Google use DA or DR?
No. Google does not use either metric as a ranking factor. They are useful estimates of link-profile strength, not Google signals.
Why is my DR higher than my DA?
Ahrefs and Moz crawl different parts of the web and weigh links differently. A gap between the two numbers is normal — focus on the trend over time instead.
How can I raise DA and DR quickly?
Build quality links from relevant, trusted sites. If you want a faster, targeted plan, the DA/DR Boost service is designed to deliver targeted results in around 15–20 days.
Is a DA of 20 good?
It depends on your niche and competitors. In a small, local niche DA 20 can be competitive; in a crowded market you may need much higher. Compare yourself to the top-ranking sites for your keyword.
Conclusion
Domain Rating and Domain Authority are two useful but different yardsticks of link-profile strength. Use both to benchmark yourself, keep your focus on real, relevant links, and don’t chase numbers for their own sake. When you’re ready to move faster, the DA/DR Boost service is the quickest way to get targeted results.
