How to Increase Domain Authority in 2025

If you’re an SEO professional looking to boost your rankings, you’ve probably asked yourself how to increase domain authority in a way that actually works in 2025. As search engines keep getting smarter and competition becomes more intense, domain authority (DA) still stands as one of the most reliable indicators of a website’s strength, trust, and ability to rank well.

This guide will walk you through how domain authority is calculated, which technical and content strategies really move the needle, and how to build high-quality backlinks that matter.

Let’s explore what it takes to grow your domain authority this year with a smart and sustainable SEO approach.

What Is Domain Authority and How Is It Measured?

Domain authority is a metric used to estimate how likely a website is to rank in search engine results. It typically ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting a stronger ability to perform well in search rankings.

This score is influenced by several factors, including the quality and quantity of backlinks, the relevance and structure of your content, and the overall health of your website. While the exact formula behind domain authority can vary across different SEO tools, the goal remains the same: to provide a snapshot of your website’s credibility and ranking potential compared to others.

Rather than focusing on the score alone, it’s best used as a benchmark to track long-term SEO progress and guide your optimization strategies.

The Role of Backlinks, Content, and Site Strength

A website’s ability to rank well in search results is shaped by several key factors that work together to build overall authority:

• Link Profile: The number and quality of backlinks pointing to your domain. Links from reputable, relevant sources help search engines view your site as trustworthy.
  
• Content Relevance: Publishing content that demonstrates topical expertise, aligns with user intent, and targets the right keywords is essential for building credibility in your niche.
  
• Site Health: A technically optimized website that loads quickly, works seamlessly on mobile, and has no crawl issues creates a better user experience and ensures your content is easily accessible to search engines.

Different SEO tools may use their own scoring systems to estimate domain strength, but the foundation remains the same. Strong backlinks, relevant content, and a healthy site structure are key to earning long-term authority.

How Ahrefs Measures Domain Rating (DR)

Ahrefs uses its own metric called Domain Rating (DR), which reflects the overall strength of a website’s backlink profile. Although it differs from other scoring systems, DR also ranges from 0 to 100 and is commonly used as an indicator of a site’s authority in search engines.

This metric is primarily based on:

• The number of unique referring domains
  
• The ratio of Do-Follow to No-Follow backlinks
  
• Link velocity, or how quickly new backlinks are acquired

Using metrics like DR alongside others provides a more complete picture of your website’s authority and backlink performance. It helps identify strengths and opportunities in your link-building strategy.

What Are the First Technical Fixes You Should Make?

Before you build authority, your site must be technically sound. Here’s where to start:

Resolve Crawl Issues and Broken URLs

Crawlability is foundational. Use Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog to:

• Fix broken internal/external links
  
• Resolve 404 errors and redirect chains
  
• Submit updated sitemaps

Optimize Site Speed and Core Web Vitals

Google’s Core Web Vitals are performance metrics that impact rankings:

To improve these scores:

• Compress and optimize images
  
• Enable lazy loading for visuals
  
• Use a fast, reliable content delivery network (CDN)

Make Sure Your Site Is Mobile-Friendly

A mobile-friendly website is no longer optional. With most users browsing and searching on smartphones, search engines now treat mobile usability as a key ranking factor.

To meet modern expectations, your site should use responsive design that adjusts smoothly to different screen sizes. Text needs to be readable without zooming, buttons should be easy to tap, and all interactive elements must work well on touch screens.

Tools like Google Search Console’s Mobile Usability report can help you spot issues such as overlapping content or elements that are too close together. Ensuring a smooth mobile experience improves both search performance and user engagement.

How Does Content Quality Affect Domain Authority?

Once your technical foundation is in place, content becomes your authority engine.

Publish In-Depth, Evergreen Content

Google rewards deep, long-form articles that solve real problems. Use tools like Clearscope, Surfer SEO, or Frase to optimize for comprehensiveness.

Target topics that stay relevant over time, such as:

• “How to perform a technical SEO audit”
  
• “Beginner’s guide to schema markup”

Structure Content Around Search Intent and Topics

To build real authority, it’s important to go beyond individual keywords and start thinking in terms of broader topics. One of the most effective ways to do this is by organizing your content into topic clusters.

Start by creating pillar pages that cover a core subject in depth, such as SEO Basics. Then build out supporting content that dives into specific areas related to that topic, like How to optimize meta tags or Internal linking strategies.

Each piece of content should serve a clear purpose based on search intent. Identify whether your audience is looking for information, trying to navigate to a specific solution, or ready to take action. Matching content to intent not only improves user experience but also helps search engines understand the relevance and structure of your site.

Enhance Visibility with Schema and Rich Snippets

Use structured data (JSON-LD) to increase click-through rates and visibility:

• Article
  
• FAQ
  
• How-to
  
• Review
  
• Product

You can implement schema using tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper or via plugins like RankMath or Yoast.

How Can You Earn High-Quality Backlinks in 2025?

Let’s talk about one of the most powerful ranking factors: how to get high quality backlinks. While search engine algorithms continue to evolve, backlinks are still a key signal of trust and authority.

However, not all backlinks have the same value. Today, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity. The best results come from earning links on relevant and reputable websites where your content offers real value to the audience.

Collaborate with Niche Blogs and Industry Portals

Guest posting is still an effective way to build backlinks, as long as it’s done strategically. Focus on contributing to relevant, high-authority websites within your niche where your insights can add real value.

Make sure the content you provide is original, actionable, and tailored to the audience. Avoid generic submissions and steer clear of spammy link exchanges, as these can do more harm than good in the long run.

Share Original Data, Tools, or Insights

Backlinks flow to unique assets:

• Research studies or case studies
  
• Interactive tools or calculators
  
• Infographics and original frameworks

Create something worth referencing.

Get Featured Through Digital PR and the Ahrefs Link Intersect Tool

Use Ahrefs’ Link Intersect to find sites linking to your competitors but not you. Then, pitch a better resource.

Also consider digital PR strategies:

• Expert roundups
  
• Thought leadership interviews
  
• “State of the Industry” reports

How Should You Use Internal Links to Boost Authority?

Backlinks often steal the spotlight in SEO discussions, but internal linking is one of the most overlooked strategies for increasing domain authority. A well structured internal linking system not only improves user navigation but also helps search engines better understand your site’s hierarchy and distribute ranking power across your pages.

By connecting content that shares a logical relationship, you can guide both visitors and crawlers toward the most important areas of your website. Done right, internal linking builds topical depth and reinforces your site’s relevance on key subjects.

Connect Related Content with Contextual Anchors

Instead of randomly linking pages, use anchor text that naturally fits within the context of your content. Choose keywords that reflect what the linked page is about, and make sure the link adds value for the reader.

For example, if you’re writing about on-page SEO and mention meta descriptions, linking to a guide on optimizing meta tags can enhance both relevance and engagement. Contextual links like these help search engines form stronger associations between pages, which can support rankings for both the linked and linking pages.

Strengthen Key Pages Using Strategic Link Flows

Not all pages on your website hold equal value. Some are more important for conversions, traffic, or rankings. By strategically linking from multiple relevant pages to a high-priority target, you can direct more internal authority toward it.

This is especially effective when using a hub-and-spoke or topic cluster model. In this structure, your central (pillar) page covers a broad topic and links out to more specific supporting articles. These supporting articles, in turn, link back to the pillar. This bidirectional flow reinforces the authority of the entire cluster and improves your chances of ranking for competitive terms.

Make internal linking part of your ongoing content optimization process. Regularly audit and update links to reflect your current priorities and keep the structure aligned with your overall SEO goals.

How Important Is E-E-A-T for Domain Authority?

Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) plays a growing role in your site’s perceived credibility.

Showcase Author Bios and Credentials

Include detailed bios with:

• Author photos
  
• Relevant credentials or certifications
  
• Links to professional profiles

Especially critical for YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) content.

Include Signals of Trust and Transparency

Boost trust with:

• Secure HTTPS
  
• Contact pages and physical address
  
• Clear privacy policy, terms and disclaimers

Also include cited sources, especially for data or medical/legal claims.

How Can You Track Your Domain Authority Over Time?

Improving DA is a long-term play. Here’s how to monitor progress.

Use Ahrefs or Similar Tools to Monitor Growth

Check your DA/DR in:

• Moz’s Link Explorer
  
• Ahrefs Site Explorer
  
• Semrush or Ubersuggest

Track referring domains, traffic trends, and lost vs. gained links.

Focus on Long-Term Progress, Not Daily Changes

Search engine rankings can fluctuate from day to day, and that’s completely normal. Obsessing over short-term changes can lead to reactionary decisions that do more harm than good. Instead, shift your focus toward long-term SEO progress and meaningful growth.

Here’s what you should track over time:

• Quarterly improvements in site visibility, traffic, and technical performance
  
• Growth in top-ranking keywords that consistently bring in targeted traffic
  
• Better engagement metrics like time on page, bounce rate, and click-through rate

Avoid chasing vanity metrics that may look impressive at first glance but don’t translate into real results. The goal isn’t just to increase your domain authority score. What truly matters is building a site that delivers lasting value, earns trust, and attracts consistent organic traffic over time.

Can You Really Increase Domain Authority Fast?

It’s a common question in the SEO world, especially among those eager to see quick results. But here’s the truth: building real domain authority takes time, effort, and a strategy grounded in long-term value.

Why Sustainable SEO Always Beats Shortcuts

While it may be tempting to try shortcuts, they often come with risks that outweigh any short-term gains. Tactics like using private blog networks (PBNs), buying links, or mass-submitting your site to low-quality directories can severely damage your credibility. In many cases, they lead to penalties that hurt your visibility and rankings.

Sustainable SEO is all about doing the right things consistently. Focus on creating high-quality content, building genuine relationships for backlinks, and improving your site’s technical performance. These are the strategies that lead to steady growth and long-lasting results.

Focus on Building Value, Not Just Metrics

If your goal is to build lasting authority, numbers should not be the only thing guiding your strategy. Metrics like domain authority are helpful for tracking progress, but they should reflect the value your site truly offers.

Here’s where real authority starts to grow:

• Helping users by providing clear, useful, and relevant content
  
• Building trust through accurate information and transparent practices
  
• Delivering consistent experiences across all pages and devices

When you focus on meeting the needs of your audience, performance metrics will improve naturally. Real value builds long-term success.

In 2025, domain authority is more than just a number. It reflects the strength of your overall SEO strategy, the quality of your website, and the level of trust your brand inspires. Whether you’re building backlinks, fixing technical issues, or publishing valuable content, every step you take plays a role in shaping long-term authority.

So don’t focus only on metrics. Build something that truly deserves to be linked to.