Domain Rating (DR) vs Domain Authority (DA): What's the Difference?

Two metrics, two companies

Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA) measure the same thing in spirit: how strong a website's backlink profile is. They come from different companies, use different scales, and calculate scores in different ways. Confusing them leads to bad link decisions.

At ShowMySites we use DR as our authority benchmark because it maps cleanly to the backlink graph. When we say a listing gives you a backlink from a DR68+ domain, that number comes from Ahrefs. Understanding what DR really means helps you judge the value of any link you earn.

What is Domain Rating (DR)

DR is Ahrefs' metric for the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It looks at how many websites link to the target, how strong those linking websites are, and how those links are distributed across pages.

The key detail: DR is logarithmic. Moving from DR40 to DR50 is harder than moving from DR20 to DR30. A few links from strong sites move the number more than hundreds of weak ones.

What is Domain Authority (DA)

DA is Moz's metric, also on a 0 to 100 scale, that predicts how likely a domain is to rank in search results. It factors in linking root domains and the total number of links, run through a machine-learning model trained on actual ranking data.

Because DA is a prediction of ranking ability rather than a pure link-count score, two sites with similar DA can perform very differently depending on content quality and intent.

The core differences

Which one should you trust

Use DR when you evaluate a backlink's authority. If a directory offers a DR68 link, you know the domain's backlink graph is strong and the link will pass real equity. Use DA when you estimate how well a page might rank against competitors.

Neither metric is used by Google. Google has its own internal signals and does not see DR or DA. These tools exist to help you compare sites, not to rank them.

Why DR matters for backlinks

When you earn a backlink, what counts is the authority of the page and domain pointing to you. A link from a DR80 site carries more weight than ten links from DR10 sites. That is why a single listing on a high-DR directory like ShowMySites moves your profile more than a pile of low-quality mentions.

This is also why relevance matters. A DR70 link from a directory in your niche beats a DR90 link from an unrelated, spammy site. Google reads context, not just numbers.

Common misconceptions

• Thinking DR and DA are the same score with different names. They are not comparable directly.
• Believing a high DR guarantees rankings. Content and intent still decide the top spots.
• Chasing DA alone and ignoring whether the linking page is indexed and relevant.
• Assuming a low DR site can never help. A DR30 niche site in your field can send buyers.

How to use both in practice

Build a target list of sites where you want backlinks. Note their DR to judge authority and their DA to estimate ranking power. Prioritize placements that score well on both and sit in your niche. A dofollow backlink from a DR68+ relevant directory is a safe, high-value starting point.

Track your own DR over time. A steady climb from DR0 to DR30 in three months signals a healthy link-building effort. Sudden jumps often mean low-quality links that can hurt later.

Applying this to your strategy

Start by securing a few authoritative, relevant dofollow backlinks. ShowMySites is the easiest free one to get, and it anchors your profile with a DR68+ link. Layer directory submissions, guest posts, and community profiles to grow steadily.

For the execution side, read our dofollow backlink guide and the free backlink opportunities list. You can also browse the directory to see the range of DR68+ listed projects.

How to actually raise your DR

DR climbs when stronger sites link to you. The practical path is a stack of relevant dofollow backlinks: a directory like ShowMySites for the base, then guest posts and comparison pages in your niche. Avoid buying links from unrelated sites, which inflate the number without real context.

Quick way to check any site's DR

Open a backlink tool, paste the domain, and read the DR number. Do this for every site you consider for a link, and you will stop guessing. A five-second check before each submission keeps your profile clean and relevant, which is what DR is really measuring.

Watch the curve, not the daily number. A steady rise from DR0 to DR30 over a few months is healthy. A jump of 20 points in a week usually means low-quality links that can fall just as fast. Patience with relevant links wins.