as we know google is updating its algo every now and then and publishing major updates more often which affects SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz etc. so when doing link building what metrics you mostly follow or trust DR, DA, or AS. cuz currently i have been experiencing some issue with ahrefs DR metric backlinks are increasing but DR is still going down same with DA too. Any suggestions?
On which metrics you would focus for link building?
- Thread starter ayush157
- Start date
- Aug 9, 2017
- 5,587
- 6,871
For bigger purchases look at the metrics that aren't just a black box opaque calculation (as is the case with DR, DA, and AS), such as the following:
Traffic - are people actually visiting and consuming content on the domain your link is on?
RD - are there a decent amount of unique referring domains pointing to the domain?
Internal links - are there more than 1 internal links from other pages on the domain to the page containing your link?
Content - does the content make enough contextual relevance to justify your link being there?
Index health - how many pages does the domain actually have indexed?
Indexability - are there any bars to entry on the page with your link (noindex, nofollow etc)?
Traffic - are people actually visiting and consuming content on the domain your link is on?
RD - are there a decent amount of unique referring domains pointing to the domain?
Internal links - are there more than 1 internal links from other pages on the domain to the page containing your link?
Content - does the content make enough contextual relevance to justify your link being there?
Index health - how many pages does the domain actually have indexed?
Indexability - are there any bars to entry on the page with your link (noindex, nofollow etc)?
Goku San
Failed to resolve a dispute
- Jun 2, 2022
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Yeah, lately I’ve noticed the same Ahrefs and Moz metrics can be all over the place after recent updates. Personally, I focus more on traffic, relevance, and indexing rather than just DR or DA. If a site’s getting real organic visitors and ranks for solid keywords, that’s a better signal than any single metric.
Cyber Meta Agency
BANNED
- Sep 25, 2025
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Focus on the quality of your target site content. Additionally, you can check the quality and traffic sources.
AlchemyArtemis
Newbie
- Nov 4, 2023
- 18
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organic traffic is king
if people visit the site where your links go, they will have more impact
zoemitchell07
Newbie
- Nov 4, 2025
- 12
- 1
I would not stress too much over DR, DA or AS on their own since they are third-party metrics and fluctuate a log. I focus more on relevance, real traffic to the linking page, link placement/context, and whether the site looks natural and active. If links are helping rankings and traffic, that matters more than a score going up or down.
Natalie Fisherr
Newbie
- Jan 3, 2026
- 12
- 1
For link building, focus on relevance, authority, traffic, and contextual placement. Links from sites related to niche and placed naturally in content work best.
ReginaAine
Newbie
- Nov 6, 2025
- 16
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DR, DA, and AS should only be used as quick filters, not trusted blindly; it’s normal for backlinks to increase while DR/DA drops. Focus on real traffic, niche relevance, and link placement instead of chasing metrics.
- Nov 16, 2011
- 19,799
- 11,280
Do not chase these metrics. Track the traffic and ranking . Both should keep improving with time.
- Apr 20, 2018
- 5,094
- 2,957
Focus less on DR/DA/AS.
They’re tool metrics, not Google metrics
DR/DA going down while links increase is normal
Use them only for filtering, not decision-making.
- Jun 16, 2024
- 213
- 17
I don’t really chase DR or DA anymore. They jump around too much. I mostly look at whether the site is relevant, has real traffic, and doesn’t look spammy. If a link helps rankings or brings visits, that’s the only metric that really matters to me.