Backlinks are often called the "currency of SEO" — and for good reason.
When it comes to building Domain Authority (DA), backlinks play a crucial and irreplaceable role.
A website’s DA score is heavily influenced by the quantity, quality, and diversity of its backlink profile. Simply put:
Better backlinks mean stronger authority.
In this page, we’ll explain exactly how backlinks shape your Domain Authority, why not all backlinks are created equal, and how you can start building a healthy link profile to boost your SEO performance.
A backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another.
When someone links to your site, it’s like a digital vote of confidence.
Google — and tools like Moz — see backlinks as endorsements.
The logic is simple:
This is why backlinks have always been a central signal for search engine rankings — long before metrics like DA even existed.
Domain Authority primarily reflects the strength and health of your backlink profile.
Here's how backlinks influence DA:
Not all backlinks carry the same weight.
High-quality backlinks tell Moz’s algorithm (and Google indirectly) that your site is authoritative and trustworthy.
Getting backlinks from a variety of different websites matters more than getting many links from the same domain.
For example:
A diverse backlink profile shows that multiple independent sources trust your content.
Link velocity refers to the speed at which your site earns backlinks over time.
Consistent link acquisition over months leads to sustainable DA growth.
Backlinks from websites relevant to your industry or niche are far more valuable.
For example:
Google — and by extension, DA algorithms — care about relevance, not just numbers.
There’s no shortcut to genuine backlink building. But here are proven methods:
For inspiration on creating standout content, read:
What Is a Purple Cow in Marketing & SEO?
Writing high-quality guest posts for authoritative blogs in your niche is still one of the most effective ways to earn backlinks — if done properly.
Always prioritize relevance and real audience value over link quantity.
Networking with journalists, bloggers, and niche influencers often leads to natural backlinks over time.
You can offer expert commentary, collaborate on content, or co-host webinars.
Proactively reach out to publications, submit your expertise to HARO (Help a Reporter Out), and pitch newsworthy ideas.
Strong digital PR can earn backlinks from major news websites — giving your DA a significant boost.
Not all backlinks are helpful.
Toxic backlinks from spammy sites can drag your Domain Authority down.
Here’s how to manage it:
Learn how internal links also support your backlink strategy:
Internal Linking for SEO Success
There’s no magic number because it depends on your competition.
If competitors have:
Quality always beats quantity.
Start by matching the backlink profile of competitors close to your current DA, and build from there.
Our advice on picking smarter battles:
Blue Ocean Strategy in SEO – Win Without Fighting for It
Directly, no.
Domain Authority primarily measures external links.
But internally linking your pages smartly:
In the long term, good internal linking helps distribute your earned external authority more efficiently across your site.
Without backlinks, your website is like an island no one knows exists.
With the right backlinks:
Focus on earning trust from reputable sources, maintaining a clean backlink profile, and creating content worth linking to.
Because when others recommend your site freely —
Search engines listen.
