If you want to top Google and get name-dropped by ChatGPT, there’s something you’ll want to take a look at: domain authority.
Domain authority (DA) is your digital credibility score, the metric that tells the internet how much it can trust you. The higher it climbs, the easier it becomes to rank, compete and get referenced across both search results and generative AI.
What is domain authority?
Domain authority (DA) is a metric developed by Moz to predict how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs).
It’s scored from 0 to 100 and reflects your site’s reputation. The stronger your backlink profile and trust signals, the higher your DA.
In short, credible links build authority, authority builds visibility, and visibility builds influence.
You can check your DA instantly using Moz’s free domain authority tool here.
How does domain authority impact AI search results?
When ChatGPT, Perplexity and other generative engines scour the web, they’re filtering through content to find reliable sources filled with useful content.
High-authority domains are the sources that get cited, quoted and recommended in AI-generated answers the most. Think of DA as your credibility badge in the age of AI search. Without it, you risk being invisible to both algorithms and audiences.
How to increase your domain authority in 2026
- Create linkable content
- Build quality backlinks
- Audit and disavow toxic links
- Fix technical SEO issues
- Strengthen your internal linking
- Improve content quality and depth
- Leverage brand mentions and digital PR
- Be patient and consistent
1. Create linkable content
Make content people want to reference. Linkable content solves problems, presents original data or offers a fresh perspective no one else has.
That could mean:
- Industry reports or case studies with hard statistics
- Comprehensive ‘ultimate’ guides
- Contrarian opinion pieces backed by insight
- Visual explainers or interactive tools
If it’s valuable, original or provocative, it earns links. The golden rule is to make it easier for someone to link to you than to recreate your work.
2. Build quality backlinks
One link from a high-authority domain in your niche outweighs fifty from random directories.
Target backlinks through:
- Guest features on credible industry platforms
- Collaborations with complementary brands
- Journalist roundups or expert quotes
- Resource page listings
Broken link building still works brilliantly. Find dead links on reputable sites and offer your content as a replacement.
Skip link schemes or anything that feels forced. Google’s 2026 algorithms are unforgiving, and fake authority doesn’t last.
3. Audit and disavow toxic links
A clean backlink profile is a healthy one. Spammy directories, link farms and irrelevant sources drag your DA down.
Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush or Google Search Console to identify toxic backlinks.
Look for low-authority or irrelevant domains, adult content or sites with suspicious linking patterns.
Request removals or use Google’s Disavow Tool, and make it routine. Quarterly audits keep your profile lean and credible.
4. Fix technical SEO issues
Authority means nothing if search engines can’t properly crawl your site. Clean technical SEO is the infrastructure that supports everything else you build.
Eliminate crawl errors, fix broken internal links, optimise your site architecture for clear navigation and ensure mobile friendliness. Implement structured data to help search engines understand your content.
Speed matters more than ever. Pages that load in under two seconds rank better and keep visitors engaged.
5. Strengthen your internal linking
Your existing content is an untapped authority goldmine.
Internal links distribute page authority across your site and help search engines understand your content hierarchy.
Link from high-authority pages to newer content that needs a boost. Use descriptive anchor text that clearly indicates what the linked page covers. Create content clusters around pillar topics, with comprehensive guides linking to specific deep dives.
6. Improve content quality and depth
Generative engines and traditional search algorithms both reward depth, accuracy and expertise.
Audit your existing content ruthlessly. Update outdated posts with current information, expand shallow articles into comprehensive resources, and delete or redirect content that serves no purpose. Every page should demonstrate clear expertise and provide genuine value.
In 2026, E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) isn’t optional. Show your credentials, cite credible sources and prove you know what you’re talking about.
7. Leverage brand mentions and digital PR
Unlinked brand mentions are authority left on the table. When publications mention your brand without linking, that’s an opportunity.
Monitor brand mentions using tools like Mention or Brand24. Reach out politely to request a link addition.
Simultaneously, invest in digital PR, pitch newsworthy stories to journalists, contribute expert commentary and position yourself as a go-to source in your industry.
Strong brand presence translates to natural link acquisition and authority growth.
8. Be patient and consistent
Domain authority is built through consistent effort over months and years. Focus on sustainable practices rather than quick wins.
Publish regularly, maintain quality standards and keep earning legitimate backlinks. Track your progress monthly, but don’t panic over small fluctuations. DA is a predictive metric, not a Google ranking factor itself.
Want to make sure you’re part of the conversation through SEO and GEO?
We help brands build authority for the AI era through SEO and GEO services. Get in touch to find out how we can drive results for you.
About the author
Natalie Clement | Digital
Marketing Executive
With international experience as a digital marketer, writer, and editor, Natalie has worked across sectors including lifestyle, technology, and tourism.
