# Domain rating Domain rating is a third party score of a site’s links on a 0 to 100 scale. It is useful for comparison, not as a goal. Here is how it works, how to read it, and what to do about it on a small site. Updated 2026-09-13 · Source: https://porteur.ai/glossary/domain-rating ## What domain rating means for a small site Ahrefs Domain Rating is a link based score from 0 to 100. Semrush has Authority Score. Moz has Domain Authority. All model how strong your domain looks in their own link graph. Google does not use these scores. They are proxies. Use them to compare you with sites that rank on the same queries, not as a number to chase. For a new or niche product, a low score is normal. You can still rank pages with useful content and a few good links. Page strength often beats domain averages. ## Why scores differ and how to compare fairly Each tool crawls the web differently. Index size, freshness, spam filters and weighting vary. So the same domain can show DR 12, DA 8 and an Authority Score that is higher or lower. That is expected. Do not compare DR to DA directly. Pick one system and stick to it for tracking. Compare against the sites that rank for your target queries, for example the top ten on "project management template". > Use domain scores for prospecting and benchmarking. Use page level metrics for the page you want to rank. ## How to check domain rating and read it 1. **Pick one tool** Ahrefs is known for its backlink index and Site Explorer. Semrush offers a broad suite with Authority Score. Moz has long standing education and DA. Choose one to track. 2. **Find the score** In Ahrefs, open Site Explorer or verify in Ahrefs Webmaster Tools. In Semrush, open Backlink Analytics or Domain Overview. In Moz, use Link Explorer or the MozBar. 3. **Look past the number** Open Referring domains and Backlinks. Check how many sites link to you, which pages they link to, and if those sites look real and relevant. 4. **Compare to rivals on one SERP** Search your head term. List the top results. Check each domain in the same tool. If your DR is 12 and the top pages sit on DR 10 to 25 domains, links are not your main blocker. Track trend, not single points. A move from DR 6 to 9 over a quarter with five new good referring domains is healthy for a small site. ## What to do if your score is low - Publish one page that earns links. Original data, a clear template, or a small calculator beats a generic post. For example, "/tools/roi-calculator" with source notes. - Create comparison and alternatives pages that answer how buyers search. For example, "/compare/you-vs-competitor" and "/alternatives/competitor". - Earn links you deserve. Reach sites that mention your product without a link. Fix broken links that once pointed to you. - Strengthen internal links. Link from your "/guides/getting-started" and top blog posts to your money pages with clear anchor text. - Join relevant directories and communities you would use as a buyer. Skip spam lists and bulk submissions. When it works, you see a few new referring domains you recognise, and your target page gains impressions in Search Console within 28 days. DR may lag behind. ## Common traps and edge cases - Chasing the number. DR is not a ranking factor. Aim for links that send real users or trust, not a higher score. - Mixing metrics. Do not chart DR against Moz DA. Pick one system for decisions. - Confusing backlinks with referring domains. Ten links from one site is one referring domain. Focus on adding new sites that link. - Subdomains and redirects. Moving a blog to a subdomain can change how tools score links. Large sitewide redirects can also shift scores. - Expired domains and bulk guest posts. These can spike a score, then fall when filters catch up. They can harm your brand. - Domain age. Old does not mean strong. A new site with ten good referring domains can outrank an old site with weak links. - Score volatility. Tools update their link graphs. Expect bumps without any change on your side. If a key page lags, check its page links. A strong guide on "/guides/security-checklist" with three trusted links can outrank a weaker page on a DR 60 domain. ## Questions ### What is a good domain rating? There is no universal good DR. Judge it against the sites that rank for your queries. If most winners sit between 10 and 25, you do not need a 50 to compete. Build links that help users and your specific pages. ### Domain rating vs domain authority: what is the difference? Domain Rating is Ahrefs’ link based score. Domain Authority is Moz’s. Semrush uses Authority Score. Each uses its own link data and model. Do not compare them directly. Use one consistently for tracking and competitor comparison. ### How do I check my domain rating? Use one tool. In Ahrefs, enter your domain in Site Explorer or use Ahrefs Webmaster Tools. In Semrush, open Backlink Analytics. In Moz, use Link Explorer or MozBar. Then review referring domains and top linked pages. ### Does Google use domain rating? No. DR, DA and Authority Score are third party metrics. Google has its own systems and does not use these brand names. Treat them as proxies to guide link research, not as targets. ### Should I worry if my DR is very low? Not by itself. New and niche sites start low. Focus on earning a handful of relevant referring domains and on-page quality. Watch Search Console impressions for your target pages. The score will follow over time. ## Read next - [Backlink](https://porteur.ai/glossary/backlink): A backlink is a link from another site to yours. See what counts, how to check links, dofollow vs nofollow, and what a small site can expect. - [Referring domain](https://porteur.ai/glossary/referring-domain): A referring domain is a unique site that links to yours. Here is why the count matters more than backlink totals, how to check it, and what to do. - [How to get backlinks for a small product site](https://porteur.ai/guides/how-to-get-backlinks-for-a-small-site): What to build, who to ask and how to measure. A founder’s plan to earn backlinks without spam or spend, with examples and a checklist. - [Backlink gap: the sites that link to your rivals and not to you](https://porteur.ai/guides/backlink-gap): Find the sites that link to rivals and not to you. Read the page, make the ask, and track new links. A practical backlink gap workflow. - [Ahrefs vs Moz](https://porteur.ai/compare/ahrefs-vs-moz): Ahrefs vs Moz for a small site: link index quality, Domain Rating vs Domain Authority, keyword tools, audits and education, with clear use cases. - [Ahrefs vs Semrush for a small product site](https://porteur.ai/compare/ahrefs-vs-semrush): Choose Ahrefs if links and Site Explorer matter most, Semrush if you need a broad keyword and marketing suite. Here is how to decide quickly. - [Domain Authority](https://porteur.ai/glossary/domain-authority): Domain Authority is Moz’s 1 to 100 score from links. Here is how it works, what Google says about it, how to read it, and how to use it well. - [Backlink checker](https://porteur.ai/tools/backlink-checker): Type a domain and see how many sites link to it, how many only with nofollow, the spam score, and the twelve strongest linking domains. Free, no account. Want a quick read on your links and rivals? Run Porteur’s free check from your URL. It reads your site, nearby searches and competing pages in about thirty seconds and shows three findings. Free check: https://porteur.ai/