What is Domain Authority
As a digital brand, you’ve probably heard of Domain Authority (DA). But what does it mean exactly, and should it form a significant part of your SEO strategy? Let’s find out more.
Domain Authority Meaning
Understanding Domain Authority is not as hard as you might think. It’s simply a metric that predicts how likely a domain is to appear in the SERPs compared to its competitors. This metric was first used by Moz but other SEO tools such as SEMrush have now developed their own authority metrics which use algorithms to decide the Authority score for a specific website. This is based on data from backlinks, referring domains and search traffic – among others. The Moz Domain Authority score is between 1 and 100 with higher numbers making it more likely for a site to rank in search engine results pages.
Why is it Important?
In order to understand the importance of Domain Authority it’s essential to know that a site ranking score is based on both the quantity and quality of links that a webpage receives. If a webpage has links from a high authority site it will have a higher probability of an excellent ranking. This information is essential for content marketers. Why? Because it means your link building strategy need to be on point. The more links you get from sites of authority, the better your Domain Authority score and the more likely you’ll rank highly.
Does it Affect SEO?
To make things a little complicated, Domain Authority isn’t a direct ranking factor. On its own it won’t improve your rankings. But knowing your score will show you how much authority your site has compared to competitors. If your site has weak links from sites of little authority, then it’s likely to be categorised as less useful or less important than a site that has many links from high authority sites. Google is constantly looking to show the very best content and is always looking for authentic, trustworthy content that’s been given the thumbs up from other credible sources.
How Can I Build DA?
If you’re looking to build Domain Authority and rank better than your competitors here are some useful tips to keep in mind. Firstly, prioritise quality backlinks from reputable sources in your industry. For example, a local business might look for links from regional newspapers or industry magazines. It’s also wise to analyse your backlinks and make sure that all the interesting sites with backlinks have a do-follow. Creating excellent content is another easy way to get quality backlinks as people will want to link to your site naturally. It’s also worth studying where your competitors get backlinks from. Can you get similar ones?
If you need help with any element of your SEO strategy including Domain Authority guidance, contact Whitefish Marketing today for a tailored approach.
