Domain Rating (DR) is a metric developed by Ahrefs to measure the strength of a website’s backlink profile.
The score ranges from 0 to 100. A higher number means the website has strong backlinks profile, which can help it rank better on search engines like Google.
Think of it like a reputation score for a website. If many well-known and trustworthy websites link to a site, its DR will be higher. On the other hand, if a website has very few links or links from low-quality sources, its DR will be lower.
Having a high DR doesn’t guarantee top rankings on Google, but it’s a good sign that a website has authority and credibility.
How is Domain Rating Calculated?
DR is based on:
- Number of Backlinks – More quality links from authoritative sites improve DR.
- Quality of Backlinks – Links from high DR domains have more impact.
- Link Distribution – The number of unique referring domains matters more than the total links.
- DoFollow vs. NoFollow Links – DoFollow links contribute to DR, while NoFollow links don’t.
Why is Domain Rating Important?
- Indicates Website Authority – Higher DR means stronger SEO potential.
- Helps in Competitive Analysis – Compare your DR with competitors.
- Backlink Strategy Optimization – A high DR site attracts more backlinks.
- Improves Search Rankings – Stronger backlink profiles improve Google rankings.
How to Improve Domain Rating?
- Earn High-Quality Backlinks – Get links from authoritative websites.
- Focus on Unique Referring Domains – More diverse backlinks improve DR faster.
- Create Valuable Content – High-quality, link-worthy content attracts natural backlinks.
- Remove Toxic Backlinks – Use disavow tools to eliminate spammy links.
- Internal Linking Strategy – Link internally to boost authority flow within your site.
Domain Rating vs. Domain Authority (DA)
- Domain Rating (DR) (by Ahrefs) → Measures a site’s backlink strength.
- Domain Authority (DA) (by Moz) → Measures ranking potential with a broader SEO view.
Tools to Check Domain Rating
Ahrefs – The official tool for checking DR.
