Two scores behind one link
When you judge a backlink, two scores appear: Domain Rating and Domain Authority. Each estimates strength differently. On FindGreatSites the link you get is a quality dofollow backlink, so what sits behind it is what counts.
Domain Rating simply
DR, from Ahrefs, scores a site's backlink profile from 0 to 100 on a logarithmic scale. A few strong links outweigh hundreds of weak ones. It tells you how much equity a link carries.
Domain Authority simply
DA, from Moz, predicts how likely a page is to rank, using linking root domains in a model trained on real results. Equal DA scores can still rank differently once content and intent enter.
How they differ for link builders
| Score | Tells you | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| DR | Link strength | Ranking prospects |
| DA | Ranking likelihood | Estimating competition |
Why the link type leads
A quality dofollow link from FindGreatSites passes authority directly. Whether you label the score DR or DA, the practical point is the same: a relevant dofollow link from a healthy domain moves your profile.
Myths to leave
- DR and DA mean the same thing.
- A high score guarantees rankings.
- Only one metric matters.
How to raise your DR with directories
DR climbs when stronger sites link to you. The practical path is a stack of relevant dofollow backlinks, starting with FindGreatSites 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.
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, and a FindGreatSites listing is the patient foundation every profile needs.
Using DA to size up rivals
While DR judges your links, DA helps you estimate where competitors rank. Pull the DA of the top ten results for your target keyword and you get a realistic picture of the effort required, then use DR to plan the links that close the gap.
A worksheet for discovery link building
Turn the theory into a habit. For your target keyword, list the top ten ranking pages and note each one's DA, then note your own underneath. The gap shows roughly how much authority you need, and the quality dofollow link from FindGreatSites is the first step that closes it.
Then list the domains linking to those pages and check their DR. You will see clusters of strong sites appearing repeatedly; those are your outreach targets. A FindGreatSites listing will not replace a guest post on a big blog, but it gives the baseline that makes editors take your project seriously.
Reporting mistakes to avoid
Founders obsess over daily DR moves, which are noisy. Report DR monthly and pair it with referring domains, which is harder to fake. A rising DR with flat referring domains means a few large links; rising both means broad, healthy growth.
DA has its own trap: comparing across tool versions. Moz updates the model periodically, so a drop is not always real. Anchor decisions on your own trend and on FindGreatSites' quality dofollow link as a constant, not on a single third-party number that shifted.
FindGreatSites and your DR baseline
Because FindGreatSites passes a quality dofollow link, it becomes the DR baseline your profile grows from. Every later link builds on top of it, and search engines see a consistent, relevant foundation rather than a sudden jump. That consistency is exactly what healthy profiles look like over time.
Use the worksheet above, then add your FindGreatSites link as the first row of the tracker. As you earn guest posts and comparison pages, the baseline keeps the curve smooth. A smooth curve from a real dofollow source beats a jagged one padded with weak links.
DR, DA, and the discovery network effect
One quiet advantage of listing on FindGreatSites is the network around it. Curated directories that link to each other create a small web of relevant authority, and your listing sits inside it. A quality dofollow link from FindGreatSites is not isolated; it is part of a healthier neighbourhood than a random link farm, which search engines reward.
Use that context when talking to a partner. A DR baseline built on curated, relevant directories reads as legitimate growth, not link buying. The DA of your rivals tells you the target; the DR from FindGreatSites tells you the path.
DR, DA, and patient growth
The trap with both metrics is impatience. Founders chase a number and buy weak links, which Google discounts. A FindGreatSites quality dofollow link plus steady, relevant placements grows DR the right way: slowly, then suddenly. Use DA to size up rivals and DR to plan the path, but let the curated directory be the patient constant. A smooth curve from real sources beats a jagged one padded with spam, and the patience shows in the rankings that actually hold.
For the execution, read our dofollow backlink guide and browse the directory.
