Supposedly, you started a website one year ago with a NZ domain name purchased from a reliable Domain Hosting company in New Zealand.
But have you ever wondered what are some aspects through which you can measure the success of your websites and web pages? If yes, then you may surely come across the two important SEO (search engine optimization) metrics: Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA).
Although both metrics are developed by MOZ, there are differences between them.
To learn more about those differences, let us delve into this article. It will help SEO professionals make the right decision when optimizing their website and web pages’s SEO rankings.
What is Domain Authority (DA)?
Domain Authority, created by Moz, measures a website’s overall authority on a scale of 1 to 100. Higher scores signify greater authority and predict better search engine rankings than other sites.
Its algorithm considers various factors such as backlinks’ quantity and quality, linking domain diversity, content quality, on-page SEO, and more that comprise a single numerical score that is used to represent the DA of the website
Domain Authority is crucial for:
- Competitive Analysis: Assessing website strength for improvement and planning.
- Link Building: Attracting opportunities with higher DA scores.
- SEO Strategy: Influencing optimization and keyword choices.
- Search Rankings: Enhancing rankings with a favorable advantage.
What is Page Authority (PA)?
Page Authority evaluates the authority of an individual webpage within a domain. It is rated on a 1 to 100 scale, with higher scores indicating stronger page authority and better search ranking.
PA uses a similar algorithm to Domain Authority but concentrates on page-specific factors. It includes backlink quality and quantity, content relevance, on-page SEO elements, and other individual page factors, resulting in a numerical score representing the page’s authority.
Page Authority is crucial for:
- Granular Analysis: Pinpointing page performance.
- Content Optimization: Enhancing specific pages.
- Link Targeting: Maximizing backlink impact.
- User Experience: Signifying valuable content.
Domain Authority vs. Page Authority
| Aspect | Domain Authority | Page Authority |
| Definition | Measures the authority of an entire domain or website. | Measures the authority of an individual web page or URL. |
| Calculation | It is calculated based on factors like the quality and quantity of backlinks to the entire domain. | It is calculated based on factors like the quality and quantity of backlinks, content relevance, and on-page SEO for a specific webpage. |
| Score Range | Scored on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores means stronger authority. | Also scored on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores means stronger authority for that specific page. |
| Use Case | DA assesses a website’s overall ranking potential and authority in search engine results. | PA evaluates the ranking potential and authority of a single webpage within a website. |
| Fluctuations | Less fluctuation than PA, as it considers the entire domain. | Higher fluctuations than DA, as it focuses on a single page’s performance. |
| Comparative Analysis | Used for competitive analysis between websites or domains. | Used for analyzing and optimizing specific pages for better SEO rankings. |
Final Thoughts: Page Authority Vs. Domain Authority
Both DA and PA are important SEO metrics for evaluating the website and page strength.
However, with similarities, they have a fine line of distinction; due to this, they serve different purposes in SEO strategies.
Therefore, understanding the differences between these metrics will help the website owners and SEO professionals to make the right optimizing decision, which will help to increase SEO ranking and overall website and webpage visibility.
