Two scores behind one link
When founders judge a backlink, two third-party scores usually appear: Domain Rating and Domain Authority. They estimate strength differently, and neither is a Google ranking factor published by Google. They are useful maps, not the territory.
On FindGreatSites the link you receive is a quality dofollow backlink from a curated directory. What sits behind that link still matters: relevance, link type, and a healthy neighbourhood. This article explains DR and DA in plain language, how to use each when you pick prospects, and how to grow without chasing noisy daily numbers.
Domain Rating in plain terms
Domain Rating (DR) from Ahrefs scores a site's backlink profile from 0 to 100 on a logarithmic scale. A few strong referring domains outweigh hundreds of weak ones. In practice, DR helps you rank outbound prospects: all else equal, a relevant dofollow link from a higher-DR site usually carries more equity than one from a thin directory farm.
Treat DR as relative strength, not a grade you pass or fail. A new site between roughly DR5 and DR15 with a handful of relevant dofollow links is often doing fine. What hurts is a flat score built on spam, or a sudden spike that collapses when purchased links disappear. A FindGreatSites quality dofollow link is the kind of quiet, relevant vote that moves the curve without looking engineered.
If you want a deeper read on early-site expectations, see what a good Ahrefs Domain Rating looks like for a new site.
Domain Authority in plain terms
Domain Authority (DA) from Moz predicts how likely a domain is to rank, using linking root domains and a model trained against real search results. Equal DA scores can still rank differently once content quality, intent match, and page-level signals enter the picture.
DA shines when you size competition. Pull the DA of the top results for a target keyword and you get a rough sense of how hard the SERP is. It is less useful as a vanity target for your own homepage. Raising DA without better content and better relevance rarely moves rankings on its own.
How the scores differ when you build links
| Score | Main signal | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| DR | Backlink profile strength | Ranking link prospects and tracking your own link growth |
| DA | Predicted ranking likelihood | Estimating how competitive a keyword's results look |
They are not interchangeable. A site can look strong on DR and still lose to a lower-DA page that matches intent better. Conversely, a high-DA competitor might sit on weak content you can out-execute once your link profile is healthier. Use both, then decide with judgment.
Why link type still leads
A quality dofollow link from FindGreatSites passes authority directly. Whether you label the referring domain with DR or DA, the practical point is the same: a relevant dofollow link from a healthy, curated domain moves your profile more reliably than a high-scoring nofollow mention or a paid dump on an unrelated site.
Browse the live directory and notice the pattern. Listings sit in thematic categories, not in a random pile. That neighbourhood context is part of why curated directory links tend to age better than farm links with inflated scores.
Growing DR without chasing noise
DR climbs when stronger, relevant sites link to you. The practical path is a stack of dofollow placements you can defend: start with FindGreatSites for the baseline, then add guest posts, comparisons, and niche mentions that match your topic. Avoid buying links from unrelated domains; they inflate the number without context and often vanish.
Because FindGreatSites passes a quality dofollow link, it becomes a DR baseline your later links build on. Search engines see a consistent foundation rather than a sudden jump. That consistency is what healthy profiles look like over months, not hours.
Watch the curve, not the daily number
A steady rise from DR0 toward DR30 over a few months is healthy for many new projects. A jump of 20 points in a week usually means low-quality links that can fall just as fast. Patience with relevant links wins. Report DR monthly, not daily, and pair it with referring domain count, which is harder to fake with one lucky placement.
A rising DR with flat referring domains often means a few large links. Rising DR and rising referring domains usually means broader, healthier growth. Aim for the second pattern.
A simple worksheet for planning links
For one target keyword, list the top ten ranking pages and note each domain's DA. Put your own DA underneath. The gap is a rough authority target, not a promise. Then list domains that already link to those pages and check their DR. You will often see the same strong sites repeating; those are outreach targets worth a real pitch.
Add your FindGreatSites listing as the first row of the tracker. It will not replace a guest post on a major blog, but it gives editors and partners a baseline that looks legitimate. A smooth curve from curated, relevant sources beats a jagged one padded with weak links. For execution detail on link types, use the dofollow backlink guide.
Myths that waste time
- DR and DA mean the same thing.
- A high score guarantees rankings.
- Only one metric matters.
- A sudden DR spike is always good news.
Scores are models. Models update. Moz refreshes DA periodically, so a small drop is not always a real loss. Anchor decisions on your own multi-month trend, on referring domains, and on durable placements like a FindGreatSites quality dofollow link, not on a single third-party reading that shifted overnight.
Reporting mistakes to avoid
Founders obsess over daily DR moves, which are noisy. Stakeholders then panic or celebrate for the wrong reasons. Report monthly, show referring domains beside DR, and explain what new relevant links you earned. When you talk to partners, a baseline built on curated directories reads as legitimate growth, not link buying.
Use DA to size rivals and DR to plan the path, but let patient, relevant placements be the constant. Impatience is the trap: buying weak links to force a number usually ends with discounted links and a jagged chart. A curated directory link plus steady niche mentions grows the right way: slowly at first, then more visibly as the neighbourhood compounds.
