Domain Authority (DA), Domain Rating (DR), and Trust Flow (TF) are the three most widely used third-party metrics for evaluating a domain's link equity and ranking potential. When you need to evaluate dozens or hundreds of domains — for SEO prospecting, link building, competitor analysis, or expired domain hunting — checking these metrics one at a time is impractical.
This guide explains what the metrics mean, how they differ, and the most efficient tools and workflows for bulk domain authority checking in 2026.
Check Availability + Build Your Authority Shortlist
First confirm which domains are available, then run authority checks on the shortlist. Bulk Domain Checker handles availability for hundreds of domains free.
Add to Chrome — FreeUnderstanding the Three Main Authority Metrics
Domain Authority (DA) — Moz
Moz's Domain Authority is a 1–100 logarithmic scale that estimates how likely a domain is to rank in search results based on its backlink profile. The logarithmic scale means it's easier to go from DA 10 to DA 30 than from DA 50 to DA 70.
Key things to know about DA:
- It is NOT a Google metric — Moz calculates it using their own link index
- It is best used for comparison between competitors, not as an absolute measure
- DA fluctuates when Moz refreshes their algorithm or index
- A sudden DA drop doesn't necessarily mean your site lost value — it often reflects a Moz algorithm update
Domain Rating (DR) — Ahrefs
Ahrefs' Domain Rating measures the strength of a website's backlink profile on a 0–100 scale. DR focuses specifically on the number and quality of unique domains linking to your site, weighted by their own DR scores.
DR is generally considered a reliable indicator of backlink strength. Ahrefs has one of the largest link indexes in the industry, which makes DR data more comprehensive than some alternatives.
Trust Flow (TF) — Majestic
Majestic's Trust Flow measures how close a site's link profile is to a set of curated "seed sites" (highly trusted sites like major news outlets, government sites, and established institutions). A high TF indicates links primarily come from trusted, high-quality sources. A low TF relative to Citation Flow suggests a spammy link profile.
Use TF in combination with Citation Flow (CF) — high CF with low TF suggests many links but low quality, a common sign of spam.
| Metric | Provider | Scale | Primary Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Authority (DA) | Moz | 1–100 | Overall ranking potential |
| Domain Rating (DR) | Ahrefs | 0–100 | Backlink profile strength |
| Trust Flow (TF) | Majestic | 0–100 | Link quality from trusted sources |
| Citation Flow (CF) | Majestic | 0–100 | Total link volume (quantity) |
Tools for Bulk Domain Authority Checking
Moz Pro Bulk DA Checker
The most direct tool for DA. In Moz Pro's Link Explorer, you can upload a CSV of up to 500 domains and receive DA, PA (Page Authority), spam score, and root domains linking for each. This is the definitive source for DA data — third-party tools that claim to show DA are pulling from Moz's API.
Moz Bulk Check Steps
- Go to Moz.com/link-explorer
- Click "Bulk Domain Analysis" in the menu
- Upload CSV or paste domain list
- Export results as CSV for further analysis
Note: Requires Moz Pro subscription (~$99/month). Limited free checks available.
Ahrefs Batch Analysis
Ahrefs' Batch Analysis accepts up to 200 URLs or domains and returns DR, UR (URL Rating), backlink counts, and organic traffic estimates for each. For expired domain research especially, the traffic estimates provide value beyond pure authority metrics.
Free Bulk DA Tools
Several free tools offer bulk DA checking with limitations:
- SEO Review Tools: Free bulk DA checker, up to 10 domains at once without account
- SmallSEOTools: Free bulk checker, uses Moz API data
- WebsiteAuthority.io: Free, unlimited domains, but daily rate limits
- BulkDA.com: Simple interface, free for up to 50 domains
How to Interpret Authority Scores for Common Use Cases
Expired Domain Research
When evaluating expired domains for purchase:
- Set minimum thresholds: DA 20+, TF 15+, CF/TF ratio < 3
- High DR without corresponding TF can indicate unnatural link patterns
- Compare the domain's authority to the linking domains — are the links from equally authoritative sources?
- Check whether authority is spread across many pages or concentrated on one page (better if spread)
Link Building Prospecting
When building a list of sites to target for backlinks:
- DA 30+ for tier 1 outreach (primary targets)
- DA 20–30 for tier 2 (secondary targets, easier to get links from)
- Relevance matters more than DA — a DA 25 site in your exact niche is more valuable than a DA 60 site in an unrelated industry
Competitor Analysis
Benchmarking your DA against competitors requires context. If your competitors all have DA 35–45 and you're at DA 20, you have a clear gap to close. If you're at DA 40 and the top competitor is DA 60, the logarithmic scale means the gap is larger than the numbers suggest — doubling DA from 30 to 60 requires far more than doubling from 15 to 30.
Start With Availability, Then Check Authority
Identify which domains are available first using Bulk Domain Checker, then run the available shortlist through authority tools.
Check Availability FreeReference Scores: What DA/DR Numbers Mean
| DA/DR Range | Typical Site Type | SEO Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | New websites, thin content sites | Minimal authority |
| 11–20 | Newer blogs, small local businesses | Some authority building |
| 21–40 | Established blogs, regional businesses | Moderate competitive |
| 41–60 | Industry publications, larger businesses | Strong competitive |
| 61–80 | National brands, major publishers | High authority |
| 81–100 | Wikipedia, NYT, Amazon, Google | Maximum authority |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Domain Authority (DA)?
Domain Authority (DA) is a metric developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank in search engine results, scored on a 1–100 scale. It is based on the number and quality of backlinks pointing to the domain. Higher DA correlates with stronger ranking potential, though it is Moz's proprietary metric, not a Google signal.
How do I check Domain Authority for multiple domains at once?
Use Moz's Bulk DA Checker (Moz Pro), Ahrefs' Batch Analysis, or free tools like SEO Review Tools and WebsiteAuthority.io. These accept domain lists and return authority scores for all domains simultaneously, saving significant time compared to checking each individually.
What is the difference between DA, DR, and TF?
Domain Authority (DA) is Moz's metric based on their link index. Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs' equivalent using their link index. Trust Flow (TF) is Majestic's metric focused on link quality from trusted seed sites. All three measure link authority but use different methodologies — scores are not directly comparable between platforms.
Can you check Domain Authority for free?
Yes. Moz's Link Explorer allows limited free DA checks. Third-party tools like SEO Review Tools and SmallSEOTools offer free bulk DA checks with daily limits. For professional-grade bulk checking without limits, a paid Moz Pro or Ahrefs subscription provides more reliable and current data.
Is a DA of 30 good?
DA 30 is moderate — it means the site has built a meaningful backlink profile but is not yet in the highly competitive range. For most small to medium businesses and content blogs, DA 20–40 is typical. The significance depends on your competitive landscape — DA 30 could be excellent in a low-competition niche and insufficient in a high-competition vertical.
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