How to Increase Domain Rating: 12 Proven Methods (2026 Guide)

Increasing your Ahrefs Domain Rating comes down to one thing: earning backlinks from more unique referring domains. Every other tactic either supports that goal or removes friction from it.

If you want to understand how DR compares to Moz's Domain Authority, see our DR vs DA comparison. To check your current score, use our free Domain Rating checker or learn how to check domain authority across multiple tools.

What is Domain Rating?#

Domain Rating (DR) is an Ahrefs metric that measures the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It was created by Ahrefs as a way to quickly evaluate how authoritative a site's link profile is relative to every other site in their index.

How DR is calculated:

• Unique referring domains: The number of unique websites linking to you is the primary input
• DR of those linking sites: Links from higher-DR sites pass more value than links from lower-DR sites
• Outbound link distribution: A DR 80 site that links to 10,000 other sites passes less value per link than a DR 80 site that links to 100 sites

The logarithmic scale matters. Going from DR 0 to DR 20 might take a few dozen referring domains. Going from DR 70 to DR 80 might require thousands of new high-quality referring domains. Each point gets harder to earn as you climb.

DR is not Domain Authority. Moz's DA uses 40+ factors including link data and predictive modeling. Ahrefs DR focuses purely on backlink profile strength. A site can have DR 40 and DA 25, or the reverse. Never compare scores across tools. For the full breakdown, read our DR vs DA guide.

Sources:

• Ahrefs: Domain Rating definition, calculation, and logarithmic scale
• Ahrefs blog: how Domain Rating works

Why DR matters for SEO#

DR is not a Google ranking factor. Google has confirmed it does not use any third-party SEO tool scores in its ranking algorithms. So why should you care about DR?

DR correlates with rankings. A 2024 Ahrefs study of millions of search results found that higher-DR sites tend to rank for more keywords and earn more organic traffic. This is not because Google uses DR — it is because DR summarizes the same backlink signals that Google's own link analysis systems evaluate.

DR is a useful competitive benchmark. If the sites ranking for your target keywords all have DR 40-60 and you are at DR 5, that tells you something actionable about the link gap you need to close.

DR is a quick prospecting filter. When evaluating whether a site is worth getting a backlink from, DR gives you a fast read on the site's link authority.

When DR does not matter:

• A lower-DR page with better content and topical relevance can outrank a higher-DR page
• Small DR fluctuations (1-3 points between checks) are normal noise, not a crisis
• DR does not factor in content quality, user experience, or topical authority — all things Google does evaluate

Sources:

• Search Engine Land: Google does not use SEO tool scores for rankings
• Ahrefs: correlation between DR and organic rankings
• Google Search Central: ranking systems and link analysis

12 proven methods to increase Domain Rating#

1. Directory submissions#

This is the fastest way to build your initial DR foundation. Every quality directory you submit to is a new unique referring domain, and DR is driven primarily by the count and quality of unique referring domains.

How to do it:

• Submit your site to curated, editorially reviewed directories in your niche
• Prioritize directories with their own strong DR (30+) and real traffic
• Avoid spammy auto-approve directories — they provide little or no value
• Use a service to handle bulk submissions efficiently

For a hand-picked list of directories worth submitting to, see our startup directories guide.

2. Guest posting on relevant blogs#

Writing guest posts for blogs your audience reads earns you a backlink from a new referring domain, exposure to a relevant audience, and credibility in your niche.

How to do it:

• Search Google for: "your niche" + "write for us" or "your niche" + "guest post"
• Check competitors' backlink profiles in Ahrefs to find blogs that accept contributions
• Pitch a specific topic with a unique angle — not a generic "I'd love to write for you"
• Include a contextual link to your site within the body content (not just in the author bio)

Aim for 2-4 guest posts per month on sites with DR 30+. Consistent guest posting compounds over time.

3. HARO and journalist queries#

Help A Reporter Out (HARO) and similar platforms connect journalists with expert sources. When a journalist uses your quote, they link to your site from a publication that often has DR 60-90.

How to do it:

• Sign up for Connectively (formerly HARO), HARO, and Qwoted
• Respond to queries in your area of expertise within hours — speed matters
• Keep responses concise, quotable, and backed by data or specific experience
• Include your credentials and a brief one-liner about your site

One successful HARO placement on a major publication can move your DR more than dozens of low-quality links. For more high-authority backlink tactics, see our high authority backlinks guide.

4. Building linkable assets (tools, calculators, data studies)#

Certain content types attract backlinks on autopilot because other sites want to reference them.

What works:

• Free tools: Calculators, checkers, audit tools, and generators. Our free DR checker is an example — useful tools earn links naturally.
• Original data studies: "We analyzed 1,000 SaaS landing pages" — journalists and bloggers cite unique data.
• Infographics: Visual data gets embedded on other sites with a link back to the source.
• Templates and frameworks: Downloadable resources that people share and reference.

Invest time upfront in creating one exceptional linkable asset rather than publishing ten average blog posts. One great tool or study can earn more referring domains than months of content.

5. Broken link building#

Find broken links on authoritative sites and offer your content as a replacement. This works because you are solving a problem for the webmaster — they want their resource pages to function correctly.

How to do it:

1. Find resource pages in your niche: "your topic" + inurl:resources
2. Use the Check My Links Chrome extension or Ahrefs Broken Link Checker to identify dead links on those pages
3. Create or identify content on your site that covers the same topic as the broken link
4. Email the page owner, point out the specific broken link, and suggest your resource as a replacement

Expect a 5-15% success rate on outreach. Target pages with DR 30+ for meaningful DR impact.

6. Resource page outreach#

Many authoritative sites maintain curated lists of tools, guides, or recommended resources. Getting listed on these pages earns a high-quality backlink from a relevant source.

How to do it:

• Search Google for: "your niche" + "resources" or "your niche" + "recommended tools"
• Check university resource pages: site:.edu "your topic" resources
• Email the page maintainer with a brief pitch explaining why your resource belongs on the list
• Make sure your content genuinely fits — irrelevant pitches waste everyone's time

7. Podcast appearances#

Most podcast hosts link to their guests in show notes. A single appearance can earn you a backlink from a site with solid DR, plus exposure to an engaged audience in your niche.

How to do it:

• Search for podcasts in your industry on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Listen Notes
• Start with smaller, niche-specific shows — they are easier to book and often have strong DR
• Pitch a specific episode topic with a clear hook, not a generic guest request
• Prepare talking points that provide genuine value to the audience

One podcast appearance per month adds 12 new referring domains per year from relevant, authoritative sources.

8. Creating original research and data#

Nothing earns backlinks like data that does not exist anywhere else. When you publish original research, you become a primary source that journalists, bloggers, and competitors cite.

How to do it:

• Survey your customers or audience on a topic relevant to your industry
• Analyze publicly available datasets to surface new insights
• Publish annual "State of [your industry]" reports
• Share internal product data (anonymized) that reveals interesting trends

9. Content clusters for topical authority#

Building clusters of interlinked content around a core topic signals depth and expertise. While content alone does not increase DR, well-structured clusters attract more organic traffic, which leads to more natural backlinks.

Structure:

• One pillar page covering the broad topic comprehensively
• 8-15 supporting articles covering specific subtopics in depth
• Internal links connecting every article in the cluster to the pillar and to each other

The cluster approach also helps Google understand your site's expertise, which can improve rankings independently of DR. For more on this approach, see our link building strategies guide.

10. Unlinked mention reclamation#

Your brand, product, or founders may already be mentioned on other websites without a link. These are the easiest backlinks to earn because the site already knows and references you.

How to do it:

• Search Google for your brand name excluding your own site: "Your Brand" -site:yourdomain.com
• Use Ahrefs Content Explorer to find unlinked mentions
• Set up Google Alerts for your brand name and product names
• Reach out politely to the author and ask them to add a link — keep it brief and make it easy by providing the exact URL

Expect a 30-50% conversion rate on unlinked mentions — much higher than cold outreach because the relationship already exists.

11. Technical SEO foundation#

While DR itself is calculated purely from backlinks, a strong technical foundation ensures that the links you earn translate to actual ranking improvements. It also prevents technical issues from undermining your link building efforts.

Priorities:

• Page speed: Fast-loading pages get shared and linked to more — slow pages get bounced from
• HTTPS: Non-secure sites lose trust signals and links
• Crawlability: Fix broken links, redirect chains, and orphan pages so link equity flows properly
• Mobile-friendliness: Over 60% of searches happen on mobile

12. Consistent publishing cadence#

Domain Rating does not increase from publishing content alone. But consistent publishing creates more pages that can earn backlinks, more internal linking opportunities, and more reasons for other sites to reference yours.

What consistency looks like:

• Publish at least 2-4 pieces of quality content per month
• Mix formats: guides, data posts, tools, comparisons
• Update existing content quarterly — refreshed content earns new links
• Promote every piece through outreach, social, and email — publishing without promotion is wasted effort

For more tactics on earning backlinks without spending money, see our free backlinks guide.

Real DR results from RankInPublic customers#

Theory is useful, but numbers are better. Here are real before-and-after Domain Rating results from sites that used RankInPublic's directory submission service:

What these numbers tell you#

renderly.video went from DR 0 — a brand new domain with zero backlinks — to DR 24 through directory submissions alone. That is the power of rapidly adding unique referring domains when starting from zero.

psychiatryexams.co.uk saw a 21-point increase from DR 5 to DR 26. This is a niche site in a specialized field, proving that directory submissions work across industries, not just in tech or SaaS.

blitzcutai.com jumped from DR 8 to DR 25, a 17-point increase that moved the site from "invisible" to "competitive" in terms of backlink profile strength.

clipt.cc started at DR 21 — already having some link foundation — and gained another 7 points to reach DR 28. This shows that directory submissions still move the needle even when you already have an established base, though the logarithmic scale means each additional point requires more effort.

interactivecircleoffifths.com climbed from DR 5 to DR 22, demonstrating that even non-traditional SaaS products benefit from a structured approach to building referring domains.

The pattern is clear: directory submissions are the most efficient way to build the initial referring domain base that DR depends on. Once you have that foundation (DR 20-25), the other 11 methods in this guide become increasingly important for continued growth.

Realistic timeline for DR improvement#

DR moves at different speeds depending on where you start. The logarithmic scale means early gains come fast and higher levels require exponentially more effort.

Key insight: The 0-25 range is where you get the most return on effort. As the case studies above show, a site can go from DR 0 to DR 20+ in a matter of weeks with a focused directory submission strategy. After DR 40, progress slows significantly and requires higher-quality links from more authoritative sources.

The compounding effect#

DR growth compounds. As your DR increases, your site becomes more attractive to other sites for link partnerships, guest post opportunities, and resource page inclusions. A site with DR 30 gets more "yes" responses to outreach than a site with DR 5. Each referring domain makes the next one easier to earn.

Common mistakes that stall DR growth#

Buying links#

Paid link schemes are the fastest way to earn a Google penalty. Even if your DR temporarily increases, Google's link spam detection systems are designed to identify and devalue purchased links. The ranking damage can take months to recover from — if you recover at all.

Ignoring link relevance#

100 backlinks from random, unrelated sites are worth less than 10 links from sites in your niche. While DR itself does not directly factor in relevance, Google's ranking systems do. A strong DR built on irrelevant links will not translate to rankings.

Chasing the number instead of building the business#

If your DR goes from 20 to 30 but your organic traffic stays flat, the DR increase means nothing. Always track DR alongside organic traffic and keyword rankings to ensure your link building efforts translate to actual business results.

Neglecting existing content#

Many sites focus on creating new content while their best-performing pages decay. Updating and improving your top pages makes them more link-worthy and helps retain the backlinks they have already earned.

Building links too fast from low-quality sources#

A sudden spike of hundreds of backlinks from low-quality sources can trigger spam detection — both from Ahrefs (which may discount the links) and from Google. Focus on steady, sustainable link acquisition from quality sources.

Not diversifying link sources#

If all your backlinks come from one type of source (for example, only directories or only guest posts), your link profile looks unnatural. Use a mix of the 12 methods above to build a diverse, natural-looking backlink profile.

Tools to track your Domain Rating#

Ahrefs (the source of truth for DR)#

Ahrefs is the only tool that calculates Domain Rating. If you want to track DR, Ahrefs is the primary tool. The free Website Authority Checker gives you a quick DR check without a paid account.

What to track in Ahrefs:

• Domain Rating score (monthly trend)
• Number of referring domains (the primary DR driver)
• New vs lost referring domains per month
• DR of your top referring domains

RankInPublic Domain Rating Checker (free)#

Our free Domain Rating checker lets you check any site's current DR instantly, without signing up for anything. Use it to check your own DR, evaluate competitors, or vet potential link opportunities.

Moz Link Explorer#

Moz tracks Domain Authority (DA), not DR. But DA is a useful cross-reference. If both your DA and DR are trending upward, your link building strategy is working. If they diverge, investigate why. For a deep dive on the differences, see our DA vs DR comparison.

Semrush Authority Score#

Semrush has its own metric called Authority Score that combines link power, organic traffic, and spam signals. It is a third perspective that can help validate trends.

Google Search Console (the rankings check)#

Google Search Console does not show DR, but it shows what DR improvements should lead to: more impressions, more clicks, and better average position for your target keywords. Always pair DR tracking with GSC data to confirm that your efforts translate to real search visibility.

Monthly tracking template#

Pick Ahrefs as your primary metric for DR, add one cross-reference (DA or Authority Score), and always include organic traffic from GSC. The traffic number is what actually matters for your business.

Sources:

• Ahrefs: Domain Rating metric and calculation
• Moz: Domain Authority scoring and methodology
• Semrush: Authority Score components and methodology

FAQs#

How long does it take to increase Domain Rating?#

It depends on your starting point. From DR 0, you can reach DR 15-25 in as little as 1-4 weeks with aggressive directory submissions. From DR 25 to DR 40, expect 3-6 months of consistent link building. Above DR 60, each point can take months of sustained effort. The logarithmic scale means early gains come fast and later gains slow down significantly.

Can I increase DR without backlinks?#

No. Domain Rating is calculated exclusively from backlink data — specifically the number and quality of unique referring domains. Unlike Moz's DA, which factors in other signals, Ahrefs DR is purely a backlink metric. Without new referring domains, your DR will not increase.

What is a good Domain Rating?#

There is no universal "good" DR. Compare your score to the sites ranking for your target keywords. If competitors average DR 30-40, hitting DR 35 puts you in the competitive range. For most new sites, reaching DR 20-25 is a strong foundation. For context, the median DR across all websites is below 10.

Is Domain Rating the same as Domain Authority?#

No. Domain Rating (DR) is an Ahrefs metric based purely on backlink profile strength. Domain Authority (DA) is a Moz metric that uses a broader set of signals to predict ranking potential. The two scores often differ significantly for the same site. Read the full comparison in our DR vs DA guide.

Does Google use Domain Rating for rankings?#

No. Google has explicitly stated it does not use any third-party SEO tool scores — including DR, DA, or Authority Score — in its ranking algorithms. DR correlates with rankings because it summarizes backlink strength, which Google does evaluate through its own systems like PageRank.

Can my Domain Rating go down?#

Yes. DR can decrease if you lose referring domains (sites remove their links to you), if the sites linking to you lose their own DR, or if other sites across the web gain links faster than you do (since DR is relative). A small 1-2 point fluctuation is normal. A sustained drop means you are losing backlinks faster than you are earning them.

What is the fastest way to increase DR from 0?#

Directory submissions. Submitting to 50-150 curated directories rapidly adds unique referring domains, which is the primary DR input. RankInPublic's directory submission service has taken sites from DR 0 to DR 20+ — see the case studies above. After building that foundation, layer on guest posts and outreach for continued growth.

How often does Ahrefs update Domain Rating?#

Ahrefs recalculates DR regularly as it crawls the web and discovers new (or lost) backlinks. Changes typically reflect within days to weeks of earning or losing referring domains. However, do not obsess over daily checks — track your DR trend monthly alongside organic traffic for a meaningful picture.

Should I focus on DR or organic traffic?#

Organic traffic is the goal; DR is an indicator. A rising DR with flat traffic means your links are not translating to rankings — possibly because you are targeting the wrong keywords, your content is weak, or the links lack relevance. Always pair DR tracking with Google Search Console data to confirm that backlink improvements lead to real search visibility gains.

For more on building your site's authority, see our guides on increasing Domain Authority, safe link building strategies, and getting free backlinks.