Metrics

What Is Domain Rating (DR)?

Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs' 0–100 score for the strength of a domain's backlink profile, based on how many unique domains link to it and how strong those linking domains are.

Why it matters

DR is the other number quoted on nearly every placement listing, and it is the one most buyers filter on. Because it measures links and only links, comparing DR against a site's actual search traffic is a fast way to spot a domain whose score was manufactured.

Example

Two sites both show DR 60. One has 40,000 monthly organic visits; the other has 200. The second is very likely carrying an artificially built link profile with no audience behind it.

Common misconception

That DR measures traffic, trust or content quality. It measures links. A site can be pushed to a high DR by a link network while ranking for nothing, which is exactly why DR should always be read next to an organic traffic estimate rather than on its own.

Related terms

Domain Authority (DA) Moz's 1–100 score predicting a domain's ranking ability. Organic Traffic Visits from unpaid search results. Referring Domain A unique website that links to you, however many times. Private Blog Network (PBN) A set of sites controlled by one party purely to build links.

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