If you work in SEO, you already know that website authority is one of the most referenced—but misunderstood—metrics in the industry. Clients ask about it. Outreach campaigns depend on it. Competitor analysis revolves around it.
But here’s the reality: Google doesn’t use “Domain Authority” directly—SEO tools do. That doesn’t make authority metrics useless. It means you need to know how to check website authority correctly, which tools to trust, and how to interpret the numbers without making bad decisions.
Website authority is measured using SEO metrics like Domain Authority (DA), Page Authority (PA), Spam Score, and Trust signals. You can check these scores using free or paid SEO tools. DA and PA help estimate ranking potential, while spam score and trust metrics indicate link quality. Authority matters most for competitive SEO, link building, and site comparisons—not as a Google ranking factor.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to check DA, PA, Spam Score, and Trust, compare free vs paid authority checkers, run bulk DA checks, and understand when website authority actually matters—and when it doesn’t.
What Is Website Authority?
Website authority is an SEO metric used to estimate how likely a domain or page is to rank in search results, based primarily on backlinks, trust, and overall link quality.
Website authority isn’t a single metric. It’s a group of third-party indicators created by SEO tools to approximate ranking strength.
Common Authority Metrics Explained
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Domain Authority (DA): Predicts how competitive an entire domain is
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Page Authority (PA): Predicts the ranking strength of a single page
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Spam Score: Estimates the likelihood of spammy or manipulative links
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Trust / Authority Signals: Measure link credibility and relevance
These scores are comparative, not absolute. A DA 40 site isn’t “good” or “bad” on its own—it’s only meaningful relative to competitors.
How to Check Domain Authority (DA) & Page Authority (PA)
You can check DA and PA using SEO tools that analyse backlink profiles, link velocity, and domain history.
Step-by-Step: Checking DA & PA
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Enter a website URL into an authority checker
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View Domain Authority (DA) for overall site strength
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View Page Authority (PA) for individual URLs
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Compare scores against competitors in the same niche
Key Things to Remember
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DA and PA are scored on a 0–100 logarithmic scale
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Increasing DA from 20 → 30 is much easier than 60 → 70
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Scores fluctuate as tools recrawl the web
Free vs Paid Website Authority Checkers
Free tools are ideal for quick checks and bulk analysis, while paid tools offer deeper backlink insights, historical data, and competitor tracking.
Free Authority Checkers
Free tools are perfect when you need:
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Fast DA/PA checks
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Bulk domain analysis
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Outreach qualification
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Client snapshots
One option is a free DA PA checker that allows bulk DA checking, saving hours during prospecting and audits.
You can use BulkDAPA to check:
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Domain Authority
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Page Authority
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Spam indicators
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Multiple domains at once
This is especially useful for SEOs handling link building, audits, or large domain lists.
Paid Authority Tools
Paid tools typically offer:
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Full backlink profiles
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Link growth trends
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Competitor gap analysis
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Anchor text data
They’re best for:
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In-depth SEO campaigns
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Large-scale competitive research
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Ongoing reporting
Pro tip: Many professionals use both—free tools for speed, paid tools for strategy.
How to Do Bulk DA Checking (At Scale)
Bulk DA checking lets you analyse dozens or hundreds of domains simultaneously, saving time during outreach, audits, and competitor research.
When Bulk DA Checking Is Essential
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Link building prospect vetting
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Guest post outreach
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PBN risk analysis
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Competitive SERP analysis
Best Practice Workflow
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Collect your domain list (CSV or plain text)
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Use a bulk DA checker
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Sort by DA, PA, and spam score
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Remove low-quality or high-risk domains
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Prioritise high-authority, relevant sites
Using a DA PA checker free bulk tool speeds up this process dramatically, especially when working with large datasets.
How Accurate Are DA & PA Tools?
DA and PA are directionally accurate for comparison—but they are not Google ranking factors and should not be used in isolation.
Why Authority Scores Vary Between Tools
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Different backlink indexes
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Different weighting models
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Different update frequencies
This is why:
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One tool may show DA 45
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Another may show DA 52
Neither is “wrong”—they’re estimates.
What DA Is Good At
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Comparing domains within the same niche
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Evaluating link opportunities
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Tracking relative authority growth
What DA Is Bad At
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Predicting exact rankings
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Measuring content quality
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Replacing real SEO metrics like traffic and relevance
When Website Authority Matters (and When It Doesn’t)
Website authority matters most for competitive SEO, link building, and domain comparisons—but matters far less for content relevance and long-tail rankings.
Authority Matters When:
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Competing in high-difficulty SERPs
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Evaluating backlink quality
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Pitching guest posts
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Analysing competitors
Authority Doesn’t Matter Much When:
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Targeting long-tail keywords
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Ranking with topical authority
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Building programmatic or niche content
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Optimising local or intent-based pages
A DA 15 site can outrank DA 80 competitors with better relevance and content.
How to Interpret DA, PA & Spam Score Correctly
Use authority metrics together—not in isolation—and always compare within the same niche.
Healthy Authority Profile Checklist
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DA aligns with niche competition
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PA reflects page-level optimisation
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Spam score is low
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Backlinks are relevant and natural
Red Flags to Watch For
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High DA + high spam score
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Sudden DA spikes without content growth
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Strong DA but zero organic traffic
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Irrelevant backlink sources
Authority without trust is a liability.
Best Website Authority Metrics to Track (Beyond DA)
While DA and PA are popular, smart SEOs also look at:
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Referring domain quality
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Link relevance
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Organic traffic trends
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Indexation and crawl health
Authority should support your strategy—not define it.
Final Thoughts
Website authority isn’t a ranking shortcut—it’s a decision-support metric. Used correctly, it helps you prioritise links, assess competition, and avoid low-quality SEO tactics. Used blindly, it leads to bad strategy.
If you need fast, reliable checks without friction, try a free DA PA checker that supports bulk DA checking and simplifies authority analysis.
Check website authority instantly with BulkDAPA — no sign-up, no fluff, just the metrics SEOs actually need.
FAQs
What is website authority in SEO?
Website authority is a third-party SEO concept that estimates how strong a website or page is based on backlinks, trust, and overall link quality. Metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA) help SEOs compare websites, but they are not Google ranking factors.
How do I check my website’s Domain Authority and Page Authority?
You can check Domain Authority and Page Authority by entering your website URL into an SEO authority checker. The tool analyses backlink data and assigns scores on a scale from 0 to 100. Bulk checkers allow you to analyse multiple websites at once.
What is a good DA score for a website?
A “good” DA score depends on your niche and competitors. In low-competition niches, a DA of 20–30 can rank well. In competitive industries, sites often need DA 50+. DA should always be compared relative to similar websites, not in isolation.
Does Google use Domain Authority as a ranking factor?
No. Google does not use Domain Authority, Page Authority, or Spam Score in its ranking algorithm. These metrics are created by SEO tools to estimate ranking potential, not determine rankings directly.
How accurate are DA and PA checkers?
DA and PA checkers are directionally accurate for comparison but not exact predictors of rankings. Accuracy varies by tool because each uses different backlink indexes and scoring models. They are best used for competitive analysis and link evaluation, not ranking guarantees.
What is spam score and why does it matter?
Spam score estimates the likelihood that a website has low-quality or manipulative backlinks. A high spam score can indicate risky link profiles. While Google doesn’t use “spam score” directly, similar signals are used to detect link spam.
Can I check DA and PA for multiple websites at once?
Yes. Bulk DA checking tools allow you to analyse dozens or hundreds of domains simultaneously. This is useful for link building, outreach, competitor research, and SEO audits.
When does website authority matter most?
Website authority matters most for link building, competitive SEO niches, and domain comparisons. It matters less for long-tail keywords, topical authority, and intent-driven content where relevance and quality outweigh backlinks.
Should I focus on increasing DA?
Increasing DA should not be a standalone goal. Instead, focus on earning relevant backlinks, improving content quality, and building topical authority. DA will improve naturally as a side effect of good SEO, not as the primary objective.
Is a higher DA always better?
Not always. A higher DA is useful only if the backlinks are relevant and trustworthy. A lower-DA site with strong relevance and content can outperform a high-DA site in search results.