What is Domain Rating (DR)?

Definition

Domain Rating (DR) is a score from 0 to 100 that estimates how strong a domain is based on the backlinks pointing to it. It was popularized by Ahrefs and is similar to Moz’s Domain Authority (DA). The higher the DR, the more “authority” search engines are likely to attribute to that domain.

DR is calculated from the number and quality of backlinks: links from high-DR sites count more than links from low-DR or spammy sites. It is a logarithmic scale, so moving from 20 to 30 is easier than moving from 70 to 80.

The 0–100 scale

Domain Rating uses a scale from 0 to 100:

• 0–10 New or very few quality backlinks.
• 10–30 Small or niche sites, limited link profile.
• 30–50 Established sites with a solid backlink profile.
• 50–70 Strong authority; often media, big brands, or long-standing sites.
• 70–100 Very high authority (e.g. Wikipedia, major news sites).

Why DR matters for SEO

Search engines use links as a signal of trust. A backlink from a high-DR site is generally seen as a stronger endorsement than one from a low-DR or unknown site. Getting links from directories, blogs, or partners with a decent DR can help your own site gain visibility and rank better over time.

FindGreatSites displays its current Domain Rating so you can assess the value of adding our directory to your backlink strategy. A link from a site with a reasonable DR contributes to your own domain’s perceived strength.

DR vs Domain Authority (DA)

Domain Authority (DA) is Moz’s equivalent metric; Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs’. Both score domains from 0 to 100 and are based on backlink data. The numbers for the same site can differ because each tool uses its own index and formula. When we refer to “DR” on FindGreatSites, we mean the metric from the tool we use (e.g. Ahrefs). For your own research, you can use either DR or DA to compare sites.

How to check a site’s DR

DR and DA are not shown by Google; they come from third-party SEO tools. To check the Domain Rating of any site (including FindGreatSites), you can use tools such as:

• Ahrefs (Domain Rating)
• Moz (Domain Authority, often via the Link Explorer or toolbar)
• Other SEO platforms that offer similar metrics

These tools crawl the web and build their own link graphs, so scores can change as they update their data.

Frequently asked questions

• What is Domain Rating (DR)?

  Domain Rating (DR) is a score from 0 to 100 that estimates how strong a domain is based on the backlinks pointing to it. It was popularized by Ahrefs and is similar to Moz's Domain Authority (DA). The higher the DR, the more authority search engines are likely to attribute to that domain.

• What is a good Domain Rating?

  DR is on a 0–100 scale. Roughly: 0–10 is new or very few backlinks; 10–30 is small or niche sites; 30–50 is established with a solid backlink profile; 50–70 is strong authority; 70–100 is very high authority (e.g. Wikipedia, major news).

• What is the difference between DR and Domain Authority (DA)?

  Domain Authority (DA) is Moz's metric; Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs'. Both score domains 0–100 based on backlink data. The numbers can differ for the same site because each tool uses its own index and formula.

• How do I check a website's Domain Rating?

  DR and DA are not shown by Google; they come from third-party SEO tools such as Ahrefs (Domain Rating) and Moz (Domain Authority). These tools crawl the web and build their own link graphs, so scores can change when they update their data.

• Why does Domain Rating matter for SEO?

  Search engines use links as a signal of trust. A backlink from a high-DR site is generally seen as a stronger endorsement than one from a low-DR site. Getting links from sites with a decent DR can help your site gain visibility and rank better over time.