Page Authority (PA) is a score or metric, developed by Moz, that predicts how well a specific page will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). The score ranges from one to 100, with higher scores corresponding to a greater ability to rank.
It’s important to note that Page Authority is a comparative tool, not an absolute measure of your site’s search engine optimization (SEO) performance. It’s used to compare the ranking strength of one page to another and isn’t necessarily a reflection of your SEO value as a whole.
Understanding Page Authority
Page Authority is calculated using an algorithm from Moz, and it takes into account dozens of factors. It’s not entirely clear what those factors are, as the exact algorithm is a closely guarded secret. However, it’s known that the number and quality of other pages linking to the page in question are significant factors.
Page Authority is also based on data from the Mozscape web index and incorporates link counts, MozRank, MozTrust, and dozens of other factors. It uses a machine learning model to predictively find an algorithm that best correlates with rankings across thousands of search results that we predict against.
How Page Authority is Scored
Page Authority is scored on a 100-point logarithmic scale. This means that it’s significantly easier to grow your score from 20 to 30 than it is to grow from 70 to 80. The metric fluctuates often, so it’s important to consider Page Authority as a comparative metric rather than an absolute one.
The Page Authority score can be used to compare the strength of your website’s pages against other pages. It can help you identify where you might need to improve your SEO strategy.
Improving Page Authority
Improving your Page Authority isn’t a straightforward process. Because it’s made up of so many different factors, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to improving your score. However, focusing on your link profile by getting more high-quality links to your page can help.
It’s also important to remember that Page Authority is just one aspect of SEO. While it’s a useful metric, it’s not the only thing you should be focusing on. Other factors, like keyword optimization and mobile-friendliness, are also important.
Factors Influencing Page Authority
While the exact algorithm for determining Page Authority is secret, there are a few known factors that can influence your score. These include the quality of the content on your page, the number of inbound links, and the SEO of your website as a whole.
Other factors that can influence your Page Authority include the structure of your website and the amount of traffic it receives. A well-structured, easy-to-navigate website with a lot of traffic is likely to have a higher Page Authority than a poorly structured site with little traffic.
The Role of Inbound Links
Inbound links, also known as backlinks, play a significant role in determining your Page Authority. When other websites link to your page, it signals to search engines that your content is valuable and relevant. The more high-quality inbound links you have, the higher your Page Authority is likely to be.
However, not all inbound links are created equal. Links from trustworthy, high-authority sites will have a greater impact on your Page Authority than links from low-authority sites. In addition, the relevance of the site linking to you also matters. For example, if you run a pet blog, a link from a well-respected veterinary website will have more impact than a link from a site about gardening.
Quality of Content
The quality of the content on your page is another important factor in determining your Page Authority. High-quality, relevant content is more likely to attract inbound links, which can help improve your Page Authority. In addition, high-quality content is more likely to be shared on social media, which can also increase your Page Authority.
Creating high-quality content isn’t just about writing well. It also involves providing value to your readers, using SEO best practices, and keeping your content up-to-date. Regularly updating your content and adding new, relevant information can help improve your Page Authority over time.
The Difference Between Page Authority and Domain Authority
While Page Authority measures the predictive ranking strength of a single page, Domain Authority measures the strength of entire domains or subdomains. The Domain Authority metric predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs).
Both metrics are calculated using the same methodology — they take into account link counts, MozRank, MozTrust, and dozens of other factors. However, while Page Authority looks at the predictive ranking strength of a single page, Domain Authority looks at the entire domain.
How Domain Authority is Calculated
Like Page Authority, Domain Authority is calculated using a machine learning model to find an algorithm that best correlates with rankings across thousands of search results. It’s scored on a 100-point logarithmic scale, and, like Page Authority, it’s easier to grow your score from 20 to 30 than it is to grow from 70 to 80.
Domain Authority takes into account more than 40 different factors, including the number of total links and linking root domains. A high Domain Authority score indicates a greater ability to rank in search results.
Improving Domain Authority
Improving your Domain Authority is similar to improving your Page Authority. It involves improving your overall SEO, creating high-quality content, and obtaining more high-quality inbound links. However, because Domain Authority looks at your entire domain, it also involves improving the SEO of your entire website.
Some strategies for improving your Domain Authority include improving your internal linking structure, removing bad or toxic links, and ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly. It’s also important to regularly update your content and ensure that your website is easy to navigate.
How to Check Your Page Authority
There are several tools available that can help you check your Page Authority. One of the most popular is Moz’s Link Explorer, which provides a wealth of information about your backlinks, including your Page Authority and Domain Authority.
Other tools that can help you check your Page Authority include SEO Review Tools, Website Authority Checker, and SERPs.com’s Authority Checker. These tools can provide a wealth of information about your SEO performance, including your Page Authority.
Using Moz’s Link Explorer
Moz’s Link Explorer is a comprehensive tool that provides a wealth of information about your backlinks. To use it, simply enter your website URL into the search box and click the “Analyze” button. The tool will then provide a wealth of information about your backlinks, including your Page Authority and Domain Authority.
In addition to your Page Authority, the tool also provides information about your Domain Authority, the number of linking domains, the number of inbound links, and the top pages on your website. It can also provide information about your website’s spam score, which can help you identify and resolve potential issues that could be harming your SEO.
Using Other Tools
While Moz’s Link Explorer is a comprehensive tool, there are other tools available that can help you check your Page Authority. For example, SEO Review Tools offers a free Page Authority checker that provides basic information about your Page Authority and Domain Authority.
Website Authority Checker and SERPs.com’s Authority Checker are other options. These tools provide similar information to Moz’s Link Explorer, but they may also provide additional information, such as your website’s Trust Flow and Citation Flow.
Conclusion
Page Authority is a useful metric that can help you understand how well a specific page on your website is likely to rank in search engine results. While it’s not the only factor you should consider when evaluating your SEO performance, it can provide valuable insights into how well your SEO efforts are working.
By understanding what Page Authority is, how it’s calculated, and how to improve it, you can take steps to improve your SEO and increase your website’s visibility in search results. Remember, the goal of SEO is not just to increase your Page Authority, but to improve the overall user experience and usefulness of your website.
