SEO can be frustrating. You optimize your site, but your pages still don’t rank. Why?

One major reason is authority—but not all authority is the same.

Some pages rank well even if the website itself isn’t strong. Others struggle despite a high-authority domain. This is where Page Authority (PA) and Domain Authority (DA) come in.

PA measures the strength of a single page.
DA evaluates the entire website’s credibility.

Both matter, but they work in different ways. Understanding PA vs. DA helps you focus on the right strategy.

So, which one should you prioritize? Let’s break it down.

What is Page Authority (PA)?

Page Authority (PA) is a metric developed by Moz that predicts how well a specific web page will rank in search engine results. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater ability to rank.

PA is calculated based on several factors, including:

• The number and quality of backlinks pointing to the page.
• Internal linking structure, which helps distribute link equity.
• Content relevance and engagement, such as time spent on the page.

Whereas Domain Authority (DA) measures the ranking ability of an entire website, PA only cares about a single page. A website can have well-performing PA pages but low DA, i.e., pages perform well, but the entire domain is not authoritative.

A research by Backlinko indicated that Google search number one ranked pages possess 3.8 times more backlinks than ranked pages 2-10. This says it all about how important it is to obtain quality backlinks in order to increase a page’s authority and improve its chances for top search.

PA fluctuates over time based on link-building efforts, algorithm updates, and content quality. Regularly monitoring and improving PA can help boost a website’s visibility in search results.

What is Domain Authority (DA)?

Domain Authority (DA) is a metric developed by Moz that predicts how well an entire website will rank in search engine results. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a stronger domain that is more likely to rank higher in search results.

How is DA Calculated?

Several factors influence a website’s DA score, including:

• The number and quality of backlinks pointing to the entire domain.
• The overall trustworthiness and credibility of the website.
• Internal linking and site structure, which distribute authority across pages.
• The age of the domain, as older sites tend to have stronger authority.

Unlike Page Authority (PA), which only concerns one page, DA takes into account all the ranking authority of the website. That means even with a few low PA pages, a high DA can lead them to rank higher.

According to Ahrefs, only 5.7% of newly published pages make it to Google’s top 10 results within a year. However, pages from high-DA websites have a much better chance of ranking faster than those from low-DA sites. This means that building strong Domain Authority can significantly improve your website’s chances of ranking well. (Source: Ahrefs)

Although DA is not a Google ranking factor in itself, it is a helpful benchmark to measure the SEO power and development of a site over time. It requires obtaining good links, having a site organized well, and possessing quality content to gain DA.

What is a “Good” Domain Authority and Page Authority Score? 

Both DA and PA are anything from 1 to 100. However “good” a score is, though, will vary with your niche, competition, and SEO target. There is no hard and fast rule of what “good” and “bad” are, but how your DA and PA stack up against sites like yours in your niche.

What is a Good Domain Authority (DA) Score? 

Below are general DA score ranges and what they indicate:

• 0-20: Common for new websites or small businesses just starting out.
• 20-40: A solid foundation often seen in growing websites building their authority.
• 40-60: A competitive DA capable of ranking well with strong content and backlinks.
• 60-80: A well-established website with a strong backlink profile.
• 80-100: Elite authority, often achieved by global brands and high-traffic sites.

Key Takeaway: A “good” DA score depends on your competitors. Even if your DA is 30-50, you can still rank well with strong backlinks and quality content.

What is a Good Page Authority (PA) Score?

Below are general PA score ranges and what they indicate:

• 0-20: Newly published pages or content with minimal backlinks.
• 20-40: Pages gaining traction and authority.
• 40-60: Well-optimized pages that have strong ranking potential.
• 60+: High-authority pages with strong backlinks and consistent engagement.

Key Takeaway: PA helps individual pages rank well, even if DA is still growing. A well-optimized page with strong backlinks and internal links can compete in search results, even against websites with higher DA.

Rather than aiming for a “perfect” DA or PA, emphasize incremental improvement and competing against others in your niche. A better website does not need a DA that goes through the roof to rank. Quality backlinks, good content, and smart internal linking can allow smaller websites to compete on search pages.

Key Differences Between Page Authority and Domain Authority

The table below highlights the key differences between Page Authority (PA) and Domain Authority (DA) to help you understand how each metric works in SEO.

Which Metric Should You Use?

Both Page Authority (PA) and Domain Authority (DA) are valuable SEO metrics, but which one you should focus on depends on your specific goals.

If you want to rank a specific page—such as a blog post, landing page, or product page—Page Authority (PA) would be a more suitable option. Having a good PA means the page has good ranking potential regardless of the overall DA of the site. For PA optimization, you must obtain quality backlinks to that specific page and do on-page SEO optimization.

Alternatively, Domain Authority (DA) is important when it comes to long-term SEO performance. When your DA is high, it means that search engines view your entire site as more authoritative, and it is simpler for multiple pages to rank for the long term. If what you want is to build overall website authority, get more organic traffic, and build your brand, then DA is what to track.

When to Focus on PA vs. DA

Here’s when you should prioritize **Page Authority (PA) vs. Domain Authority (DA):

• Use PA when you need to rank a particular page for a competitive keyword.
• Use DA when you want to improve your website’s overall SEO performance and visibility.
• Balance both for a strong SEO strategy—PA helps with ranking key pages, while DA ensures long-term domain credibility.

In reality, PA and DA work together. A website with a high DA naturally makes it easier for its pages to gain higher PA. Similarly, if multiple pages on your site have a strong PA, it contributes to a higher DA over time. Instead of choosing one over the other, aim for a balanced approach to maximize your SEO success.

No matter which metric you prioritize, improving both PA and DA is essential for long-term SEO success. Here’s how you can strengthen both.

How to Improve Both Page Authority and Domain Authority

Improving Page Authority (PA) and Domain Authority (DA) requires a strategic approach that involves high-quality content, strong backlink acquisition, and technical SEO optimization. Below are the key areas to focus on for long-term SEO success.

1. Build High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks are crucial in PA and DA enhancement. In the case of Page Authority, it will increase when it acquires backlinks to a particular page. For Domain Authority, the entire website enhances when it acquires backlinks from authority sites. Emphasize quality, not quantity, backlinks from high-authority sites related to your niche. Guest posting, outreach, and link-building partnerships are strong ways of building your backlink profile.

2. Optimize Internal Linking

Internal linking is needed in order to balance power throughout your site. By connecting high-PA pages to low-ranking pages, you transfer link equity and make them rank better. A solid internal linking plan enhances crawling efficiency as it is simpler for search engines to comprehend the relevance of various pages on your site. Ensuring a logical site hierarchy and using descriptive anchor text can further enhance PA and DA.

3. Improve On-Page SEO

An effective on-page SEO increases PA and DA by increasing the relevance and usability of pages. This includes optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and keyword usage to rank higher. Furthermore, increasing speed, mobile-friendliness, and overall UX design increases the chances of visitors spending more time, having lower bounce rates, and higher engagement. The more engaged the users are with your page, the better the authority of your page will be in the long run.

4. Create High-Quality, Evergreen Content

Content is the backbone of SEO success. Search engines prioritize pages that offer valuable, well-researched, and up-to-date information. High-quality content naturally attracts backlinks, increasing PA while also improving domain credibility. Publishing in-depth blog posts, guides, case studies, and industry reports make your site a valuable resource, helping to improve DA gradually.

An excellent example of earning editorial links through original research is the Search Engine Journal’s article “History of Google Algorithm Updates.” According to Ahrefs, it has attracted nearly 3,000 backlinks by providing unique, high-value information that others naturally reference. This shows the power of original data in securing editorial backlinks.

5. Remove Toxic or Spammy Backlinks

Not all backlinks are beneficial. Low-quality or spammy links can negatively impact DA and PA, making it important to regularly audit your backlink profile. Tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, and Moz can help identify harmful links. If you find spammy or irrelevant links, using Google’s Disavow Tool can prevent them from affecting your authority scores. A clean and authoritative backlink profile is essential for SEO health.

6. Strengthen Technical SEO

A site with technical SEO problems fails to attain authority even with good content and backlinks. Improving crawlability, indexability, and site speed makes it possible for search engines to rank your content effectively. Secure your website using HTTPS, build an SEO-friendly URL architecture, and improve XML sitemaps to assist search engines in comprehending your site’s content more easily. A technically optimized website establishes trust with search engines, which affects DA and PA positively.

7. Monitor and Track Progress

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, and authority scores do not inherently rise overnight. Checking your PA and DA scores periodically with Moz, Ahrefs, and Semrush allows you to measure your progress. Check backlink increases, organic traffic, and keyword rankings to determine if your SEO is working. By making data-driven tweaks, you can continuously improve page and domain authority.

By focusing on high-quality content, strong backlinks, and technical SEO, you can steadily improve PA and DA. Now, let’s summarize the key takeaways.

Conclusion

Both Page Authority (PA) and Domain Authority (DA) contribute to SEO success, but they serve different purposes. PA focuses on ranking a single page. DA, on the other hand, measures the authority of an entire website.

Want better rankings? Prioritize quality backlinks, engaging content, and smart SEO. These three factors will naturally strengthen both PA and DA. Rather than choosing one over the other, a well-rounded strategy ensures sustainable growth and higher rankings.

Boost your pages, strengthen your domain, and watch your rankings rise! 

FAQ on Page Authority vs. Domain Authority