How to Improve Your Domain Rating (Ahrefs DR)
A practical guide to increasing your website's authority through quality backlinks and smart link building.
Ahrefs Domain Rating (DR) is one of the most widely used metrics to measure a website's backlink authority. While DR itself isn't a Google ranking factor, the backlink quality it measures directly correlates with higher search rankings.
DR works on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 100. This means going from DR 5 to DR 15 is much easier than going from DR 50 to DR 60. Every point gets progressively harder to earn, which is why a strategic approach matters.
What Affects Your Domain Rating
Ahrefs calculates DR based on three main factors:
Number of unique referring domains: How many different websites link to you. One link from 50 different sites is far more valuable than 50 links from one site.
Authority of linking domains: Links from high-DR websites carry more weight. A single backlink from a DR 70 site can impact your DR more than 20 links from DR 10 sites.
Dofollow vs. nofollow: Only dofollow backlinks count toward your DR. Nofollow links are ignored in the DR calculation.
1. Get Listed in Quality Directories
One of the fastest ways to start building your DR is through quality directory submissions. Curated directories like Web Review provide dofollow backlinks from a domain with growing authority.
As the directory's own DR increases, every backlink from it becomes more valuable for your DR — your listing gets stronger automatically over time. Submit your website to get started with a free dofollow backlink.
Check our guide to free directory submissions for a curated list of directories that provide real SEO value.
2. Focus on Unique Referring Domains
DR is calculated based on unique referring domains, not total backlinks. Getting 10 links from one website counts the same as getting 1 link from that website.
Prioritize diversity. It's better to have 1 backlink each from 30 different websites than 30 backlinks from the same site. Spread your link building across directories, guest posts, press coverage, and community mentions.
3. Earn Links from High-DR Websites
The authority of the linking site matters enormously. Target backlinks from websites with DR 40+ for meaningful impact. This includes industry publications, popular blogs, news sites, and established directories.
Guest posting, HARO (journalist outreach), creating link-worthy content, and getting reviewed on authoritative platforms are the most effective ways to earn high-DR backlinks. See our complete backlink guide for detailed strategies.
4. Create Linkable Assets
Linkable assets are pieces of content that naturally attract backlinks. These include original research and data, free tools and calculators, comprehensive industry guides, infographics, and templates.
The key is creating something genuinely useful that people in your industry want to reference. One great linkable asset can earn you dozens of backlinks from unique domains over time.
5. Disavow Toxic Backlinks
While Ahrefs DR doesn't directly factor in toxic links, Google does. Spam backlinks from link farms, PBNs, or unrelated foreign-language sites can trigger Google penalties that indirectly hurt your overall web presence.
Regularly audit your backlink profile using Ahrefs or Google Search Console. If you find spammy links you didn't build, use Google's Disavow Tool to tell Google to ignore them.
6. Be Patient and Consistent
DR doesn't change overnight. It takes time for Ahrefs to crawl new backlinks, and the logarithmic scale means each point requires more effort. Set realistic monthly targets: 2-5 new quality referring domains per month is a solid pace for most businesses.
Consistency beats intensity. A steady link-building routine that earns you 3 quality backlinks per month will outperform a one-time burst of 20 low-quality links. Think long term.
Realistic DR Growth Timeline
Month 1-3: Start with quick wins. Submit to quality directories like Web Review, set up social profiles, and create your first linkable asset. Expected DR: 5-15.
Month 3-6: Begin guest posting and outreach. Aim for 2-3 new referring domains per month from DR 30+ sites. Expected DR: 15-30.
Month 6-12: Scale your content marketing and link building. Target press coverage and high-authority placements. Expected DR: 30-50.
Month 12+: Focus on maintaining and compounding. Your existing content and listings continue attracting links organically. DR growth becomes more gradual but sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ahrefs Domain Rating?
Ahrefs Domain Rating (DR) is a metric that measures the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It's calculated based on the quantity and quality of dofollow backlinks pointing to a domain. A higher DR means a stronger backlink profile.
What is a good Domain Rating?
DR 0-20 is low (new or small websites), DR 20-40 is below average, DR 40-60 is average to good, DR 60-80 is strong, and DR 80-100 is excellent (major brands and news sites). For most small businesses and startups, reaching DR 30-50 is a realistic and impactful goal.
How fast can I increase my Domain Rating?
It depends on your starting point and effort. A new website (DR 0-5) can reach DR 15-25 within 3-6 months with consistent link building. Going from DR 30 to DR 50 is harder and typically takes 6-12 months of sustained effort. The scale is logarithmic — each point gets harder to earn.
Does Domain Rating directly affect Google rankings?
Ahrefs DR is not a Google ranking factor — it's a third-party metric. However, the factors that increase DR (quality backlinks from authoritative sites) are the same factors Google uses to determine rankings. A higher DR strongly correlates with better search positions.
Can my Domain Rating decrease?
Yes. DR can drop if you lose backlinks (sites remove links to you, domains expire, or pages get deleted), if linking domains lose their own authority, or if other websites grow faster and push yours down relatively. Monitor your backlink profile regularly.
Is DR the only metric that matters?
No. Domain Rating measures your backlink profile strength, but it doesn't account for content quality, technical SEO, user experience, or relevance. Use DR alongside other metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, and page-level authority for a complete picture.
Start Building Your Domain Rating Today
Get a free dofollow backlink from Web Review. As our Domain Rating grows, your backlink becomes more valuable automatically.
Get a Free Dofollow Backlink
Submit your website to Web Review and get a permanent dofollow backlink with an AI-powered review.
Submit Website View pricing plans
AI SEO writing tool. Get recommended by ChatGPT & rank on Google.
Sponsored
Get featured on 500+ high-authority publications. Boost your brand visibility and domain authority.
Sponsored