Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA) are two widely used SEO metrics that estimate the authority and ranking potential of a website. Although both are scored on a 0–100 scale, they are developed by different companies (Ahrefs and Moz) and use distinct calculation methodologies.
Domain Rating (DR) – Ahrefs
What DR Measures
Quantifies backlink strength versus other sites in Ahrefs’ index
Based on quantity and quality of external links
Logarithmic scale: 20→30 easier than 70→80
Why DR Matters
Reflects backlink profile authority
Used to assess value of backlink opportunities
Correlates with search visibility
Backlink Influence
High DR links pass more authority (link juice)
Links on less crowded pages give more value
Used to prioritize link-building targets
Domain Authority (DA) – Moz
What DA Measures
Predicts SERP performance based on multiple SEO factors