Many people still confuse Domain Authority (DA) with PageRank, even though they come from completely different origins. Both are related to SEO, both deal with how strong a page or domain is—but their mechanics, purpose, and sources are entirely different.
In this guide, we’ll explain what each metric really means, how they compare, and how to think about them in today’s SEO world.
Domain Authority is a proprietary metric developed by Moz. It estimates how likely a domain is to rank in search engine results based on link-related factors like:
DA ranges from 1 to 100 and is not used by Google in its ranking algorithm. For more background, visit Frequently Asked Questions About DA.
PageRank was Google’s original link-based algorithm that ranked web pages based on their importance. It calculated a score from 0 to 10 based on:
Every link to a page was seen as a vote of confidence. Higher PageRank meant higher trust in the eyes of Google.
Yes, but not publicly.
Google no longer updates or displays the original PageRank toolbar score. However, PageRank as a concept is still a foundational part of Google's core ranking algorithm—especially when evaluating link quality and internal structure.
Google has moved beyond raw link counts and now uses much more complex models, often blended with E-E-A-T signals.
| Feature | Domain Authority (Moz) | PageRank (Google) |
|---|---|---|
| Created by | Moz | |
| Public Metric | Yes | No longer public |
| Scale | 1 to 100 | 0 to 10 (original) |
| Algorithm | Based on Moz link index | Proprietary Google algorithm |
| Used in Ranking | No | Yes (internally) |
| Updates | Monthly (approx.) | Continuous (not public) |
While both are based on link profiles, DA is a simulation, whereas PageRank is real (but hidden).
Not directly.
Since DA is not tied to Google, increasing it won’t change your PageRank score. However, both metrics respond positively to:
Focus on actions that improve both. Refer to the Internal Linking Guide and Google Disavow Tool: 2025 Guide. to maintain a strong link profile.
You can use DA as a benchmark—but not as a direct replacement.
Since Google doesn’t publish PageRank scores anymore, DA helps SEO professionals estimate relative authority. But it’s just one of many third-party metrics, including:
The best approach? Focus on building high-quality, helpful content and earning links naturally. Rankings will follow—regardless of whether you track DA or PageRank.
While both DA and PageRank are link-based, content plays a critical role in:
Use Does Your Content Fill or Kill? to check if your content deserves to be linked to. Also, refresh older content as advised in How Often Should You Update Your Website to maintain authority.
Domain Authority is helpful to track SEO progress and evaluate competitors. PageRank, though real, is hidden—so there’s no use worrying about it directly.
Your goal should be:
This will move both visible (DA) and invisible (PageRank) indicators in the right direction.
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