What is a good Domain Rating score?

A DR of 0-20 is low (new or small sites), 21-40 is below average, 41-60 is average for established sites, 61-80 is good, and 81-100 is excellent. Like DA, DR is comparative — what matters is how your DR compares to competitors.

Is Domain Rating a Google ranking factor?

No, DR is an Ahrefs-specific metric, not a Google ranking factor. However, a strong backlink profile (which DR reflects) correlates with better rankings because backlinks are a confirmed Google signal.

What is the difference between Domain Rating and Domain Authority?

DR is Ahrefs' measure of backlink profile strength using a PageRank-like algorithm focused purely on links. DA is Moz's prediction of overall ranking potential using machine learning on multiple factors. DR is purely link-based; DA considers more signals.

How often does Domain Rating update?

Ahrefs updates DR frequently as it crawls the web and refreshes its link index, more often than Moz updates DA. Still, meaningful DR changes usually take weeks to months of consistent link building.

Can I increase my DR quickly?

Not meaningfully. DR is driven by your backlink profile, which takes time to grow. Going from DR 10 to 30 is achievable in months, but higher DRs require sustained, high-quality link acquisition over years.

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SEO2026/07/17

What is Domain Rating? Complete Guide to Ahrefs DR

Q: What is Domain Rating (DR)?

Domain Rating (DR) is an Ahrefs metric that measures the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It is based on the quantity and quality of referring domains and how much link equity they pass.

What is Domain Rating (DR)? Complete guide to Ahrefs DR — learn how Domain Rating is calculated, what a good DR score is, how DR differs from DA, and how to increase your Domain Rating.