How to Use Moz’s Link Explorer for Domain Authority
Moz’s Link Explorer is the original tool for analyzing Domain Authority (DA) - the very metric Moz introduced to estimate a website’s ranking strength. If you want to improve your site’s authority, tracking and understanding your backlink profile through Link Explorer is essential.
This guide walks you through the key features of Moz Link Explorer, how to use it to interpret and grow your DA, and how it fits into a holistic SEO strategy.
What Is Moz Link Explorer?
Moz Link Explorer is a web-based SEO tool that helps you:
View Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA)
Analyze inbound links
Identify top linking domains
Monitor new and lost links
Find link-building opportunities
Unlike generic backlink tools, Link Explorer is built around Moz’s scoring models, making it ideal for DA-centric audits.
Where to Start in Link Explorer
Go to https://moz.com/link-explorer and enter your domain (or a competitor's). You’ll see a snapshot showing:
Domain Authority
Linking domains
Inbound links
Ranking keywords (if you use Moz Pro)
From here, you can explore five key reports.
1. Overview Report
Key Metrics Displayed
Domain Authority (DA)
Page Authority (PA) for homepage
Spam Score
Total linking domains
Inbound links (followed and nofollowed)
Why It Matters for DA: This gives you a quick sense of how your site’s authority compares with others in your niche.
If your DA is low, refer to 5 Steps to Increase Domain Authority Quickly to begin improving it methodically.
2. Inbound Links Report
What It Shows
Exact URLs linking to your site
Anchor text used
Link types (follow vs. nofollow)
Linking pages’ DA and PA
First seen / last seen timestamps
How to Use It:
Sort by highest DA to see your most valuable backlinks
Identify low-quality links contributing to high Spam Score
Spot unnatural anchor text patterns
Export data for disavow file preparation if needed
Link out from these to newer pages to distribute authority internally
5. Link Intersect Tool
Purpose
Find websites that link to your competitors but not to you
Spot missed outreach or PR opportunities
Target link prospects already familiar with your niche
How This Builds DA: By replicating or improving your competitors' backlink sources, you can gain ground on their DA over time.
See How to Use DA to Evaluate Competitors for more on competitive backlink strategies.
Tracking DA Over Time
Moz updates DA roughly once a month. Use Link Explorer to:
Monitor growth or drops
Cross-reference with major content or link-building activities
Export monthly snapshots to compare historical progress
Pair this with SEMrush vs. Moz for DA Analysis to understand which tool gives you the best visibility.
Limitations of Link Explorer
DA is a third-party estimate, not a Google ranking signal
Moz’s index is smaller than Ahrefs or SEMrush
Real-time link discovery is slower compared to competitors
Still, for DA-focused analysis and trusted scoring, Moz remains highly relevant.
Best Practices for Using Link Explorer
Use Link Explorer monthly to track authority shifts
Combine DA insights with content freshness and internal link optimization
Monitor spam signals to keep your profile clean
Prioritize links from domains with DA higher than yours
Always look beyond the metric—DA is a guide, not a guarantee
Use Link Explorer to Grow DA With Purpose
DA is only as good as the strategy behind it. Moz’s Link Explorer gives you the clarity and direction you need to build a strong, link-worthy, and trusted domain.
