Domain Authority: How to Increase It with Smart Link Building

If you’ve been in the SEO game for any length of time, you’ve probably heard about domain authority. But do you know how to actually increase it? In my years of building successful websites and helping clients improve their search rankings, I’ve discovered that smart link building is hands-down the most effective way to boost your domain authority.

Today, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to do this, step by step, with strategies that are working right now in 2025. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to take your existing site to the next level, these techniques will help you build the kind of authority that drives rankings, traffic, and ultimately, revenue.

What Is Domain Authority?

Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank on search engine results pages (SERPs). The score ranges from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater ability to rank.

Here’s what you need to know about domain authority:

• It’s comparative: DA compares your website against others, making it most useful for benchmarking against competitors in your industry
• It’s not a Google ranking factor: Google doesn’t directly use DA in its algorithms, but the factors that improve DA often align with what Google values
• It’s calculated using backlinks: The quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to your site heavily influence your DA score
• It’s dynamic: Your score will fluctuate as the web evolves and as your link profile changes

Generally speaking, a DA score between 40-50 is considered average, 50-60 is good, and anything above 60 is excellent. New websites typically start with a very low score, so don’t be discouraged if you’re just beginning.

Why does this matter? Because while Google doesn’t directly use DA, websites with higher domain authority typically have stronger backlink profiles, which DO directly impact your ability to rank well in search results.

The Link Between Domain Authority and Link Building

Let me be clear: backlinks remain one of the most powerful ranking signals in Google’s algorithm. And they’re the primary factor that influences your domain authority score.

When we talk about link building for domain authority, quality matters more than quantity. Here’s what affects the value of backlinks:

• Domain authority of the linking site: Links from websites with high DA (70+) are considered authority backlinks and pass more value
• Relevance: Links from sites in your industry or niche carry more weight
• Link attributes: Dofollow links pass link equity (ranking power), while nofollow links provide less direct SEO benefit but still add value to your backlink profile
• Link placement: Contextual links within content body carry more value than links in footers or sidebars
• Anchor text: The clickable text used in links helps search engines understand what your page is about
• Traffic: Links from sites with their own organic traffic tend to be more valuable

The most successful websites have a diverse and natural backlink profile with a healthy mix of different types of links. This diversity signals to search engines that your site is genuinely valuable and worthy of ranking well.

Smart Link Building Strategies to Boost Domain Authority

Now, let’s get into the strategies that will actually move the needle on your domain authority. I’ve personally used each of these techniques to build authority for my sites and my clients’ sites.

A. Create Linkable Assets

Linkable assets are high-quality content pieces specifically designed to attract backlinks naturally. They’re the foundation of any sustainable link building strategy.

What makes content “linkable”? It provides exceptional value that makes other site owners want to reference it as a resource. Here are the most effective types of linkable assets:

• Original research and data: Content that presents new findings or analyzes existing data in a unique way
• Comprehensive guides: In-depth resources that cover topics exhaustively (like this one!)
• Infographics and visual assets: Visual representations of data or concepts that simplify complex information
• Tools and calculators: Interactive resources that solve specific problems for users
• Industry surveys: Original insights from your market or niche
• Statistic compilations: Curated collections of important statistics in your industry

For example, Search Engine Journal created a “History of Google Algorithm Updates” page that has attracted nearly 3,000 referring domains simply because it’s such a valuable reference.

When creating linkable assets, focus on topics with “linkable keywords”-terms that content creators and journalists frequently cite and link to when creating their own content.

B. Guest Posting on Authority Websites

Guest posting remains one of the most reliable ways to earn high-quality backlinks, despite claims over the years that it’s “dead.” The key is to focus on quality and relevance rather than quantity.

Here’s my step-by-step process for effective guest posting in 2025:

1. Identify relevant authority sites: Look for websites in your niche with good domain authority (DA 40+) and engaged audiences
2. Study their content: Understand their style, topics, and audience before pitching
3. Develop unique pitch ideas: Offer content that provides real value to their audience, not just what benefits you
4. Create exceptional content: Your guest post should be as good or better than what you’d publish on your own site
5. Include strategic links: Most sites allow 1-2 relevant links back to your site within the content
6. Build relationships: The best guest posting opportunities come from ongoing relationships with editors and site owners

What makes guest posting effective is that you’re reaching new audiences while earning contextual backlinks from relevant sites. Remember to vary your anchor text naturally and focus on sites that will drive actual referral traffic, not just links.

C. Broken Link Building

Broken link building is a win-win strategy that helps site owners fix problems while earning you backlinks. Here’s how it works:

1. Find resource pages: Identify pages in your niche that link out to many resources
2. Check for broken links: Use tools like Check My Links Chrome extension to find dead links on these pages
3. Create replacement content: If you don’t already have content that could replace the broken link, create it
4. Reach out with value: Email the site owner, notify them of the broken link, and suggest your content as a replacement

What makes this approach so effective is that you’re helping the website owner fix a problem, which makes them much more likely to act on your outreach email. You’re offering value first, then asking for the link, which fundamentally changes the dynamic of the request.

D. Competitor Backlink Analysis

One of my favorite link building strategies is to identify where your competitors are getting their links and then target those same opportunities. Here’s how:

1. Identify your top competitors: Choose 3-5 competitors who rank well for your target keywords
2. Analyze their backlink profiles: Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to find sites linking to them
3. Look for link gaps: Focus on sites linking to multiple competitors but not to you yet
4. Prioritize opportunities: Sort by domain authority, relevance, and potential traffic value
5. Create superior content: Develop content that outperforms what your competitors created to earn that link
6. Conduct strategic outreach: Reach out to these sites explaining why your resource adds more value

This approach works because you’re targeting websites that have already demonstrated interest in your topic and a willingness to link to content in your niche.

E. Internal Linking Best Practices

While external backlinks are crucial, don’t overlook the power of internal linking to distribute authority throughout your site and boost your overall domain authority. Here’s how to optimize your internal linking structure:

1. Create a logical site structure: Organize content in a pyramid-like hierarchy with your most important pages at the top
2. Identify pillar pages: Develop comprehensive resources that link to more specific cluster pages on related topics
3. Use descriptive anchor text: Make your internal links clear and keyword-rich (this is one place where exact match anchors are acceptable)
4. Link from high-authority pages: Pass link equity from your strongest pages to those that need a ranking boost
5. Support new content: When publishing new content, add links to it from relevant existing pages

Every page you care about should have links from at least one other page on your site. Think about what additional resources would help readers understand each page better, and link to those pages in context.

Building High-Quality Backlinks: What Works in 2025

As we move further into 2025, some link building approaches are proving more effective than others. Here’s what’s working right now:

White Hat Link Building Techniques

White hat link building focuses on earning backlinks through creating value and following search engine guidelines. These techniques include:

1. Relationship-based outreach: Building genuine connections with site owners, journalists, and industry influencers before asking for links
2. Creating newsworthy content: Publishing original studies, surveys, or data that naturally attract media attention and links
3. Expert roundups and interviews: Featuring industry experts who will likely share and link to your content
4. Resource link building: Getting your site included in resource lists and directories relevant to your industry
5. Participating in online communities: Adding value in forums, social media groups, and Q&A sites (with occasional relevant links)

The most successful link builders focus on building relationships first, not just acquiring links. As one link building expert puts it: “The path to successful guest posting lies in prioritizing quality over quantity across every touchpoint.”

What to Avoid in 2025

Some link building techniques that might have worked in the past are now more likely to harm your domain authority than help it:

• Paid links without proper disclosure: Always use rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow” for paid links
• Link exchanges at scale: While some strategic link exchanges can work, large-scale reciprocal linking looks unnatural
• Comment spam: Adding links in blog comments without adding value
• Low-quality guest posts: Publishing thin content on irrelevant or low-authority sites
• Private Blog Networks (PBNs): Using networks of sites specifically to manipulate rankings

Remember that Google’s algorithms are increasingly sophisticated at identifying unnatural link patterns. The short-term gains from black hat techniques are rarely worth the long-term risks to your site’s authority.

Optimizing On-Page SEO for Better Link Building Results

On-page optimization and link building work hand-in-hand. Well-optimized pages not only rank better but also attract more links naturally. Here’s how to optimize your pages to support your link building efforts:

1. Create exceptional, linkable content: Focus on depth, originality, and value
2. Use descriptive, keyword-rich titles: Make it clear what your page is about
3. Optimize your meta descriptions: While not a direct ranking factor, compelling meta descriptions increase click-through rates
4. Structure content with clear headings: Use H2, H3, and H4 tags to organize your content logically
5. Include visual elements: Add images, charts, and videos to increase engagement
6. Optimize page speed: Fast-loading pages provide better user experience and earn more links
7. Ensure mobile responsiveness: Your site should look and function well on all devices

When your content is well-optimized, it’s more likely to rank initially, get discovered, and subsequently earn links organically-creating a positive feedback loop that further increases your domain authority.

Monitoring, Auditing, and Maintaining Your Backlink Profile

Building links is only half the battle-you also need to monitor and maintain your backlink profile over time. Here’s how:

Regular Backlink Audits

I recommend auditing your backlink profile at least quarterly:

1. Identify toxic links: Look for spammy, irrelevant, or low-quality sites linking to you
2. Monitor link growth: Track how many new links you’re gaining (and losing) each month
3. Check competitor link acquisition: Stay aware of your competitors’ link building activities
4. Evaluate anchor text distribution: Ensure your anchor text profile looks natural and diverse
5. Assess link quality metrics: Monitor the overall authority of sites linking to you

Disavowing Harmful Links

If you find toxic links pointing to your site, you may need to disavow them:

1. Create a disavow file: This is simply a text file listing URLs or domains you want Google to ignore
2. Be selective: Only disavow links that are clearly manipulative or harmful
3. Submit through Search Console: Upload your disavow file through Google’s Disavow Tool
4. Document your work: Keep records of what you’ve disavowed and why

Remember that disavowing is a last resort. Google’s gotten much better at identifying and ignoring low-quality links on its own, so only disavow links that present a clear risk of a penalty.

FAQs on Domain Authority and Link Building

Conclusion

Building domain authority through smart link building isn’t a quick fix-it’s a long-term investment in your website’s future. By focusing on creating valuable content, earning high-quality backlinks through ethical strategies, and maintaining a healthy link profile, you’ll gradually see your domain authority increase along with your organic search visibility.

Remember these key principles:

• Quality always trumps quantity when it comes to backlinks
• Focus on building relationships, not just acquiring links
• Create content worthy of being linked to
• Monitor and maintain your backlink profile over time
• Be patient and consistent-domain authority growth takes time

The strategies I’ve outlined in this guide have consistently helped my clients achieve sustainable growth in their domain authority and search rankings. By implementing them methodically and ethically, you’ll build the kind of authority that drives long-term success.

Ready to Take Your Link Building to the Next Level?

If you found this guide helpful, you might want to check out my comprehensive link building toolkit, which includes outreach templates, a competitor analysis spreadsheet, and a step-by-step checklist for implementing these strategies. Building domain authority is a journey, but with the right approach, it’s one that leads to lasting SEO success.

What link building strategies have worked best for your website? Let me know in the comments below!