Domain Authority vs Page Authority: Key SEO Differences !
- Mirio
- May 18
- 4 min read
Updated: May 21
Although closely related, domain authority vs page authority represent two distinct ways of evaluating the strength and ranking potential of a website.
In the competitive world of SEO, two important metrics often surface: Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA).These metrics, developed by Moz, estimate how well a domain or a specific page might rank in search engine results (SERPs).
Understanding the difference between domain authority vs page authority not only helps improve visibility, but also plays a key role in building a professional website that performs well in the long term.
Although closely related, DA and PA serve different roles in your SEO strategy.
Understanding them not only helps improve visibility, but also plays a key role in building a professional website that performs well in the long term.
What Is Domain Authority (DA)?
Domain Authority is a score between 1 and 100 that predicts how likely an entire domain is to rank in search engine results. The higher the score, the better your chances of showing up on the first page.
Moz calculates this metric based on:
The total number and quality of backlinks
The linking root domains
Metrics like MozRank and MozTrust
Technical aspects like site structure and performance
Having a high DA often indicates that your website is a trusted source in its niche. But keep in mind, this score is relative, meaning it should be compared against competitors—not treated as an absolute success indicator.
If you’re unsure how this fits into your broader web strategy, check out our guide on why website authority and on-page SEO score matter.
What Is Page Authority (PA)?
Page Authority, like DA, is measured on a scale from 1 to 100—but it applies only to a single page. It predicts the ranking potential of that page based on:
Page-specific backlinks
On-page SEO elements like keywords, meta tags, and content structure
Internal linking and content relevance
User behavior signals (indirectly)
PA is especially useful when you're working on landing pages, blog posts, or service pages that you want to rank quickly in search results.
Key Differences Between DA and PA
Feature | Domain Authority (DA) | Page Authority (PA) |
Scope | Entire domain | Single page |
Goal | Evaluate the site’s overall strength | Assess ranking ability of a specific page |
Depends On | Domain-wide backlink profile | Page-level links and on-page SEO |
Use Case | Long-term brand strategy | Short-term content optimization |
Changes When | Entire site metrics are updated | That page’s signals change |
How to Improve Domain Authority?
Why Domain Authority vs Page Authority Matters for SEO Strategy?
When crafting your SEO plan, knowing how domain authority vs page authority influence rankings helps you choose where to invest resources.
Boosting DA requires a holistic, long-term approach:
1. Create high-quality content that earns backlinks naturally.
2. Get backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry.
3. Disavow toxic backlinks to avoid SEO penalties.
4. Improve site architecture and technical performance.
5. Develop internal linking strategies to strengthen page interconnection.
Also, keep in mind that your website structure, professional design, and user experience all influence DA. If you're planning to launch or redesign your site, make sure to read this article: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website.
How to Improve Page Authority?
PA can usually be improved more quickly than DA. Focus on:
1. On-page SEO best practices: clear headings, relevant keywords, optimized images, meta titles, and meta descriptions.
2. Link building to specific pages: share those pages in newsletters, social media, and guest posts.
3. Update content frequently to keep it relevant.
4. Add internal links from other high-authority pages on your site.
5. Optimize for mobile and speed to reduce bounce rates.
You can also use Schema markup and rich snippets to enhance visibility in SERPs.
Which Should You Focus On?
The answer depends on your goals:
If you want to build your brand and site reputation, focus on Domain Authority.
If you’re trying to rank specific pieces of content, prioritize Page Authority.
Ideally, you should work on both. A strong DA makes it easier for all your pages to rank, while improving PA helps ensure that your key content performs well independently.
Practical Scenario for a Construction Company in Romania
Let’s say you run a construction company based in Brașov, specializing in home renovations and residential building projects.
Over time, your website has earned a solid Domain Authority by showcasing your portfolio, publishing useful content, and earning backlinks from local directories and satisfied clients.
Now, you’ve just launched a new service page titled:“Full Apartment Renovation in Brașov – Pricing and Step-by-Step Process.”
To ensure this page ranks well in Google, you take specific actions to improve its Page Authority:
You optimize the title and headers with search-friendly phrases like “apartment renovation Brașov” and “construction services Brașov prices.”
You internally link to this page from your portfolio, testimonials, and related blog posts like “Common Mistakes to Avoid During Renovations in Romania.”
You share the page in local Facebook groups and forums where homeowners search for trusted builders.
You gain a backlink by getting featured in a local blog post or online business directory or an industry-specific platform such as SpatiulConstruit.ro wich is a dedicated portal for construction industry in Romania.
As a result, the Page Authority of that specific page increases, and it starts ranking in the top search results for relevant keywords—even faster than competitors with similar content but lower domain trust.
Final Thoughts.
DA and PA are not official Google ranking factors, but they are excellent tools for evaluating the strength of your site and content.
Use DA to guide your long-term strategy
Use PA to optimize key content
Use both as benchmarks—not goals—so you focus on creating value for users
Want to go deeper into SEO and website authority? Start with:
Or explore:
If you’re serious about improving your website’s visibility, ranking higher in Google, and attracting the right customers — you don’t have to do it alone.
At Mirio Development, we help businesses across Romania and beyond build websites that not only look great but are optimized to perform. Whether you need help with SEO, a professional site redesign, or a full digital strategy, we’re here to support your goals.
Let’s talk about how we can grow your online presence — contact us today!
