DA vs DR: Moz Domain Authority vs Ahrefs Domain Rating
Use this DA vs DR guide to compare Domain Authority vs Domain Rating by owner, data, scope, and use case, and learn why neither metric is a Google ranking factor.
The Short Answer
Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR) are separate vendor metrics:
- Moz DA predicts how likely a domain is to rank relative to competitors in Moz's model.
- Ahrefs DR compares the strength of a domain's backlink profile with other domains in Ahrefs' database.
They use different web indexes and models, so the same domain normally receives different numbers. Neither DA nor DR is a Google ranking factor. If you are asking, “Should I focus on DA or DR?”, choose the metric that matches the provider and scope of the decision, then validate it with real links and search performance.
Check DR → | Check Moz DA and PA →
DA vs DR Side by Side
| Attribute | Moz Domain Authority (DA) | Ahrefs Domain Rating (DR) |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Moz | Ahrefs |
| Scale | 1–100 | 0–100 |
| Primary task | Compare ranking likelihood among domains in Moz's model | Compare domain backlink-profile strength in Ahrefs' index |
| Main data context | Moz Link Explorer index and multiple model factors, primarily backlinks | Ahrefs backlink graph, linking-domain strength, and outbound distribution |
| Scope | Domain | Domain |
| Google ranking factor? | No | No |
| Best use | Relative competitive benchmarking | Relative backlink-profile comparison |
Why Can One Domain Have Different DA and DR?
Suppose a domain shows DA 45 and DR 35. The gap does not mean either checker is broken.
- Different indexes. Moz and Ahrefs discover and retain different links.
- Different models. DA predicts relative ranking likelihood; DR summarizes backlink-profile strength.
- Different graph weighting. Providers treat linking domains, outbound distribution, and other inputs differently.
- Different refresh timing. One index may have processed a new or lost link before the other.
- Relative scales. Changes elsewhere in each provider's database can move a score even when the target looks stable.
Do not compare DA 45 and DR 35 as if they were two readings from the same instrument.
When to Use DA
Use Moz DA when you want a consistent Moz-based comparison among relevant domains:
- Benchmark domains competing in the same niche
- Add context to Moz Link Explorer research
- Compare domain-level opportunity before examining pages
- Track the same peer set with the same Moz data source
DA still cannot predict whether a particular page will rank. Use Page Authority, the actual SERP, page relevance, content, and link context for page-level decisions.
Read the full Moz DA definition →
When to Use DR
Use Ahrefs DR when the question is specifically about relative domain-level backlink strength:
- Compare backlink profiles among relevant domains
- Add context to link prospect research
- Observe directional changes in Ahrefs' graph
- Separate domain-level DR from page-level URL Rating
DR does not measure content quality, search intent, conversions, or the value of every link from a domain.
Read the full Ahrefs DR definition →
When Neither Score Is Enough
Do not choose a link, partnership, acquisition, or keyword from DA or DR alone. Inspect:
- The exact ranking or linking page
- Topical relevance
- Real organic visibility and audience
- Editorial quality and ownership
- Outbound-link patterns
- Technical accessibility and search intent
- Business value
A lower-score page can outrank a higher-score domain when it better satisfies the query. A high-score domain can still contain irrelevant or low-quality pages.
Which Metric Should You Focus On?
Focus on the metric that matches the question, then return to the underlying evidence:
| Decision | Start with | Then verify |
|---|---|---|
| Compare domain backlink strength | DR | Referring domains, exact links, relevance, audience |
| Compare Moz-modeled domain competitiveness | DA | Actual SERPs, ranking pages, PA, content, links |
| Evaluate a specific page | Neither alone | UR or PA plus page-level content and links |
| Diagnose Google performance | Neither | Search Console, crawling/indexing, content, links, competitors |
Do not optimize a vendor score as the business goal. Rankings, qualified traffic, useful referrals, and conversions are better outcome measures.
How to Check Both
- Use the DR Checker for Single or Bulk Ahrefs DR observations.
- Use the DA Checker for one domain's Moz DA, PA, and available Spam Score.
- Record the provider and observation context.
- Compare only relevant peers.
- Investigate the pages and links behind the numbers.
DR Checker is independent of Ahrefs and Moz. For each provider's full index and analysis workflows, use its own products.
FAQ
Is DA Better Than DR?
No. They answer different questions. DA is Moz's relative ranking-likelihood model; DR is Ahrefs' relative backlink-strength metric.
Which Is More Accurate?
Neither is an absolute truth. Accuracy depends on the question, provider coverage, target scope, and how consistently you compare the data.
Can DA and DR Move in Opposite Directions?
Yes. The providers can discover different links, refresh at different times, or recalculate their relative models differently.
Are DA or DR Google Ranking Factors?
No. Google uses its own systems and does not read Moz DA or Ahrefs DR.
Do I Need a Paid Moz or Ahrefs Account?
Not for a quick observation on DR Checker. Use the providers' own products when you need their complete indexes, filters, history, exports, or account workflows.