What are PA and DA for Backlinks? A Beginner’s Guide
Backlinks are an important element in website search engine optimization (SEO). As a measure of the evaluation of these backlinks, terms such as PA (Page Authority) and DA (Domain Authority) are used. These two indicators quantify the trustworthiness of a site and the value of a page, and are useful for building SEO strategies. This article explains the meaning, differences, and specific ways to utilize them in an easy-to-understand way for beginners.
What is PA (Page Authority)?
PA (Page Authority) is a score that indicates the authority of a specific web page, quantifying the strength of a page in search engine rankings.
- Score Range: 0–100 (The higher the score, the stronger the authority)
- Source: Developed by Moz, an SEO tool provider.
- Factors Influencing PA:
- The quality and quantity of backlinks (the quality and quantity of external sites linking to that page).
- The PA and DA of the backlink source (the trustworthiness of the linking page or site).
- The page’s content quality and internal linking structure.
PA Characteristics:
- Evaluated on a per-page basis, meaning that scores may differ for each page within the same site.
- Useful for predicting how likely a specific page is to rank higher in search results.
What is DA (Domain Authority)?
DA (Domain Authority) is a score that indicates the trustworthiness and authority of the entire site (domain), quantifying the strength of the domain in the overall search engine results.
- Score Range: 0–100 (The higher the score, the stronger the trustworthiness)
- Source: Developed by Moz, similar to PA.
- Factors Influencing DA:
- The quality and quantity of backlinks directed at the entire domain.
- The DA of the backlink source.
- The site’s overall internal linking and structure.
DA Characteristics:
- Evaluated on a domain level, making it a key indicator of the overall SEO power of a website.
- A high DA domain can benefit newer pages, giving them a relative advantage.
Differences Between PA and DA
| Item | PA (Page Authority) | DA (Domain Authority) |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Target | Individual web page | Entire site (domain) |
| Impact Range | Page-level ranking power | Domain-wide trustworthiness |
| Score Range | 0–100 | 0–100 |
| Main Usage | Measure the SEO power of a specific page | Formulate the SEO strategy for the entire site |
| Backlink Impact | Backlinks to the specific page | Backlinks to the entire domain |
Why Use PA and DA?
1. Improving SEO Strategy
By analyzing PA and DA, you can identify the strengths and weaknesses of your site and pages, and clarify the direction of your SEO strategy.
- Example:
- If DA is low → Increase backlinks from reliable external sites.
- If PA is low → Improve the content on the page and acquire more links.
2. Competitive Analysis
By checking the PA and DA of competitor sites and pages, you can compare them with your site and formulate strategies.
- Example:
- If a competitor’s DA is high → Build long-term domain trust.
- If a competitor’s PA is high on a page → Increase resources on the same topic and compete for the same keywords.
3. Building a Backlink Strategy
By acquiring backlinks from high PA and DA sites, you can improve your own site’s score.
- Example: Obtain links from media sites or expert blogs with high DA.
How to Increase PA and DA Scores
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Increase Quality Backlinks
- Acquire links from trustworthy and relevant sites.
- Avoid link spam and focus on building natural backlinks.
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Enhance Content
- Create valuable and useful content for users.
- Optimize keywords to make your content more likely to be rated well in search results.
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Optimize Internal Links
- Properly link related pages within your site and organize the linking structure.
- Focus internal links on specific pages to strengthen PA.
-
Improve Technical SEO
- Improve site loading speed.
- Enhance mobile responsiveness and improve user experience.
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Conduct Competitive Analysis
- Regularly check the PA and DA of competitors and adjust your strategy.
Points to Note
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PA and DA are not absolute metrics These are indicators provided by Moz, not official Google scores. Therefore, these scores should be considered as reference values and not as definitive measures. Other SEO factors must also be considered.
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Increasing the numbers takes time Especially DA, which is an evaluation of the entire domain, is hard to improve in the short term. Long-term effort is necessary.
Summary
PA (Page Authority) and DA (Domain Authority) are indicators that assess the trustworthiness of a specific page or the entire domain based on the quality and quantity of backlinks. PA measures SEO power on a page level, while DA measures it on a domain level, and they can be used for different purposes.
By using these indicators, you can identify areas for improvement on your site, compare your site with competitors, and clarify the direction of your SEO strategy. Aim for higher rankings in search results by focusing on quality content and natural backlink building with a long-term approach.