Page Authority (PA) is an estimate of ranking strength that search engines assign to a webpage. It works as a metric to show how likely a page is to rank well in search engine results.
Think of Page Authority as grades that reflect how much search engines tend to trust and give value to that page. This is based on several factors, but mostly pertains to the quality and quantity of backlinks to that page.
Page Authority may suggest to SEO practitioners the possibility that a specific page might need some serious treatment, links, or fresh content. While it’s not an explicit factor in Google rankings, Page Authority signals are indeed representative of various signals of interest to search engines.
What is Page Authority?
Page Authority is a score from 1 to 100 that predicts how well a specific page will rank in search results. A higher Page Authority score typically has a better chance of appearing on page one of Google.
This score was developed by Moz, a popular SEO software company.
Origin and Purpose of PA
- Created by Moz to help analyse page-level SEO strength.
- Based on data like backlinks, linking root domains, and content strength.
- It’s a predictive score, not a direct Google ranking factor.
How It’s Calculated
Moz uses a machine learning model that looks at:
- The number and quality of inbound links
- How authoritative those linking domains are
- Other page-level SEO signals
Note: PA scores can change over time as Moz’s algorithm improves or as your link profile changes.
Page Authority vs Domain Authority
Many people confuse Page Authority (PA) with Domain Authority (DA).
Key Differences
Feature | Page Authority (PA) | Domain Authority (DA) |
What it measures | Strength of a single page | Strength of the entire domain |
Use case | Page-level analysis | Site-wide comparison |
Score range | 1–100 | 1–100 |
Which One Matters More?
Both are useful, but if you’re targeting rankings for a specific page, then efforts should be made to increase its Page Authority while recognising in your long-term SEO strategy to keep an eye on your Domain Authority.
Read more about: What are DA and PA in SEO?
Why Page Authority is Important for SEO
When it comes to rankings, higher Page Authority allows you to rank better for competitive keywords. Page Authority is important for the following reason:
- Helps You Identify Page-Level Performance: PA shows you which of your pages are ranking well and which of your pages need improvements to enhance their ranking ability.
- Supports Link Building Strategy: You can focus your efforts on building links to specific pages with low PA.
- Boosts Your Page’s Ranking Chances: A higher PA can increase a page’s visibility, traffic, and credibility.
How to Check Page Authority
Several free and paid tools can help you check PA scores:
Best Tools to Use
- Moz Link Explorer
- Ahrefs Site Explorer
- SEMrush Backlink Analytics
- Ubersuggest
What a Good PA Score Looks Like
PA Score | Meaning |
0–20 | New or weak pages |
21–40 | Average, needs improvement |
41–60 | Strong and optimised |
61–80 | Very strong, high authority |
81–100 | Rare, often top-performing pages |
How to Increase Your Page Authority
PA improvement takes time, but it is great to do. Some viable ways include:
- Have Some Valuable Content: Create helpful, original, well-researched content that people might want to link to.
- Get Quality Backlinks: Contact reputable sites to initiate backlinks, guest posting, or mention agreements.
- Get Internal Linking Right: Internal linking of relevant pages helps some authority flow through your site.
- Update and Refresh Pages: Keep pages and articles up to date, especially older content, with new data, examples, or images.
How SEO Services Can Help with Page Authority
Professional SEO teams know how to analyse and boost PA using proven strategies.
- Keyword and Content Strategy: A trusted SEO company can help you create content that earns links and builds page strength.
- Building Authority through SEM and SEO: With SEM services, you can promote high-value pages and gain backlinks through paid media and SEO efforts.
- Tracking and Improving PA Over Time: SEO tools and reporting help monitor changes and guide future actions.
Beginner Tips to Build Page Authority Wisely
If you’re just starting, here are a few easy tips:
- Be Patient and Consistent: PA doesn’t improve overnight. Keep publishing quality content and building links.
- Use the Right Tools and Track Results: Check PA regularly to see which pages need more attention.
- Focus on Page Quality, Not Just Quantity: One strong, helpful page is better than five weak ones.
Conclusion
Page Authority shows how likely a page is to rank well in search results. A higher score means better chances of visibility. By improving content, building quality links, and using smart SEO strategies, you can boost your PA over time. Working with an SEO company or using SEM services can help speed up the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Page Authority (PA) is a score developed by Moz that predicts how well a specific page is likely to rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It ranges from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater likelihood of ranking well.
A “good” Page Authority score depends on your competition. Generally:
40–50 is average,
50–60 is good,
60+ is excellent.
Instead of aiming for a specific number, compare your PA with that of competitors for similar keywords.
To increase Page Authority:
Build high-quality backlinks to your page.
Create valuable, original content.
Improve internal linking from authoritative pages.
Ensure good on-page SEO (titles, meta descriptions, URL structure).
Boost the overall Domain Authority of your website.
Use tools like Moz Link Explorer, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to check the Page Authority. Simply enter your page URL to view the PA score and related link metrics.
Your Page Authority score reflects the SEO strength of a specific URL. You can check it using SEO tools like Moz’s Link Explorer or other platforms that provide page-level authority metrics.
