SEMrush’s DA Checker – A Review

SEMrush is one of the most comprehensive SEO platforms, offering tools for keyword research, site audits, backlink tracking, and more. Although it doesn’t use the term Domain Authority (DA) - which is Moz’s proprietary metric—it provides a comparable metric called Authority Score.

In this page, we review SEMrush’s Authority Score tool, explain how it compares with DA, and explore how you can use it to assess and improve your website’s authority.

What Is SEMrush’s Authority Score?

Authority Score is SEMrush’s measure of a domain’s overall quality and SEO strength. It evaluates:

•   Quantity and quality of backlinks
•   Organic search traffic and keyword performance
•   Spam and toxicity indicators
•   Link profile diversity and velocity

The score ranges from 0 to 100, similar to Moz’s DA, and is updated frequently based on live data.

Where to Find Authority Score in SEMrush

You’ll see Authority Score in multiple places inside SEMrush:

•   Domain Overview (when entering any domain)
•   Backlink Analytics (alongside referring domains and anchor text)
•   Link Building Tool (for evaluating outreach targets)
•   Keyword Overview > SERP Analysis (to assess competing domains)

How SEMrush Calculates Authority Score

While SEMrush doesn’t publish the full formula, the score is based on:

•   Total backlinks and linking domains
•   Ratio of follow vs. nofollow links
•   Toxic link profile signals
•   Search visibility and ranking keywords
•   Organic traffic data

This makes Authority Score more multidimensional than Moz’s DA, which relies more heavily on link metrics alone.

Authority Score vs. Domain Authority

For a complete side-by-side breakdown, read SEMrush vs. Moz for DA Analysis.

Pros of SEMrush’s Authority Score

1. Combines Link + Performance Data

This gives a more realistic picture of your site’s impact—not just how many links you have, but whether those links are helping your site rank and attract traffic.

2. Tracks Competitor Trends

You can monitor how your competitors’ scores evolve over time, especially during content or link campaigns.

3. Highlights Toxicity Risks

Authority Score reflects if a site has a spammy link profile. This makes it safer for identifying outreach targets or rejecting backlink deals.

Limitations of SEMrush Authority Score

•   Not a substitute for DA if you're doing Moz-based benchmarking
•   Doesn’t offer a page-level score like Moz’s Page Authority
•   Harder to explain to clients unfamiliar with SEMrush metrics
•   Some metrics (like traffic) may vary in accuracy for lower-volume sites

Despite this, it remains a reliable tool for authority evaluation—especially for SEO professionals who need an all-in-one dashboard.

How to Use SEMrush Authority Score in Practice

1. Vet Link Prospects

Use the score to qualify which domains are worth getting backlinks from. Combine with anchor text and referring page analysis for full context.

2. Audit Your Own Domain’s Authority Health

Run a monthly check to see if:

•   Your Authority Score is improving
•   Your toxic score is stable
•   Your backlink diversity is expanding

Also refer to Tools for Identifying Toxic Backlinks to clean your profile proactively.

3. Correlate Authority Score with Ranking Gains

Use the Organic Research tool to match Authority Score improvements with keyword movement and traffic surges. This helps validate your SEO strategy.

Should You Trust SEMrush’s Score for DA Tracking?

You should use it, but not rely on it alone.

Authority Score is one of many indicators. Like Moz’s DA, it works best when paired with:

•   Actual ranking data
•   Google Search Console performance reports
•   On-page optimization metrics
•   Internal linking audits (see Internal Linking Guide)

Used consistently, it helps guide decisions—not dictate them.

SEMrush’s Authority Score Is a Modern DA Alternative

If you want real-time domain analysis that includes both off-page and on-page factors, SEMrush’s Authority Score is a reliable tool. It fits especially well into a performance-driven SEO workflow.

But remember - it’s not about chasing numbers. It’s about making strategic, informed decisions that move your rankings and reputation forward.

Need Help Interpreting SEMrush Authority Metrics?

Whether you use Moz, SEMrush, or both, we can help you tie authority metrics to meaningful SEO outcomes.

Reach out via our Contact page, or explore our SEO Services, and Digital Marketing Services, for expert guidance.

Continue building your authority knowledge by reviewing our Domain Authority Guide or reading related topics on our Blog where clarity and results meet.