In the SEO world, metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Trust Flow (TF) are often used to evaluate the credibility of websites and the quality of backlinks. Although both are useful, they are fundamentally different—developed by separate companies, using unique algorithms and data sources.
In this page, we’ll compare Domain Authority and Trust Flow in detail, explain what each measures, and help you decide which one to focus on based on your goals.
Domain Authority (DA) is a scoring metric developed by Moz to estimate how likely a domain is to rank in search results.
It is based on:
DA is scored between 1 and 100 and is best used to compare domains relative to competitors—not as a standalone success metric. For foundational understanding, visit Frequently Asked Questions About DA.
Trust Flow (TF) is a metric created by Majestic. It evaluates the quality of a site’s backlinks based on proximity to a set of trusted seed sites.
A high Trust Flow score suggests that:
TF is scored between 0 and 100, just like DA—but with different emphasis.
| Factor | Domain Authority (DA) | Trust Flow (TF) |
|---|---|---|
| Created By | Moz | Majestic |
| Score Range | 1 to 100 | 0 to 100 |
| Focus | Overall ranking potential | Link trust quality |
| Based On | Volume + quality of backlinks | Proximity to trusted seed sites |
| Link Context | Less emphasis | Heavily emphasized |
| Page-Level Metric? | Yes (PA exists) | Yes (Citation Flow also available) |
DA tells you how authoritative a domain might appear based on volume and quality of backlinks.
TF tells you how trustworthy that link profile really is.
Together, they help you:
Use Domain Authority to:
Refer to How Often Should You Check Your DA for guidance on when and how to monitor this metric effectively.
Use Trust Flow to:
TF is especially useful in industries where trust is critical—like finance, health, and education.
Not always. Some high DA sites have low Trust Flow due to link schemes, irrelevant directories, or paid placements.
Not directly. Like DA, TF is a third-party metric, not a Google ranking signal. Use it to guide your SEO—not to define it.
Relying solely on DA or TF paints an incomplete picture. It’s best to use multiple tools and combine insights.
Neither is universally better—they serve different purposes.
Use DA to assess reach and authority.
Use TF to assess trust and backlink purity.
For day-to-day SEO tracking, DA is more commonly integrated into tools like Moz, Ahrefs, and SEMrush. But for advanced backlink audits, TF gives precision.
If you're auditing for quality, use both. If you're comparing opportunities, start with DA, then validate using TF.
Both DA and Trust Flow are valuable—but neither should be viewed in isolation. What matters most is whether your SEO actions lead to:
Focus on building useful content, earning editorial links, and strengthening site architecture. These will naturally improve both metrics.
Want to ensure your SEO metrics actually reflect real growth? Let us help you build a stronger backlink profile, content strategy, and search presence.
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You can continue exploring comparisons and deeper insights in our Domain Authority Guide or by browsing our Blog where real strategies take precedence over just numbers.
