Are You Still Chasing DA? Focus on Topical Authority Instead
Build Topical Authority instead of building DA
For years, SEOs and marketers have obsessed over Domain Authority (DA) as a key metric for gauging a website’s potential to rank in search engines. Developed by Moz, DA is a helpful proxy, but it’s not used by Google and doesn’t reflect the full picture of your site’s relevance or trustworthiness. If you’re still chasing DA by making backlinks (Off-page SEO), it might be time to pivot. There’s a smarter, more sustainable way to build SEO strength: topical authority.
In this article, we’ll explore why DA is outdated as a primary focus, what topical authority actually means, and how to build it effectively to future-proof your SEO strategy.
What Is Domain Authority (DA), and Why People Chase It
Domain Authority is a score ranging from 1 to 100 that predicts how well a website might rank on search engines, based largely on backlink profiles. The idea is simple: the higher the score, the stronger your domain is perceived.
While it can be a quick gauge for evaluating a site, DA is:
- A third-party metric (not used by Google)
- Primarily link-based
- Easily manipulated through spammy link-building tactics
People chase DA because:
- It’s easy to track
- It offers a sense of “progress”
- Clients and stakeholders understand it
However, this chase often leads to:
- Buying low-quality backlinks
- Ignoring content quality and user intent
- Focusing more on metrics than users
What Is Topical Authority?
Topical authority refers to your site’s perceived expertise and trustworthiness in a specific subject area. Unlike DA, topical authority is built by consistently publishing high-quality, relevant, and in-depth content around a focused topic.
In short, topical authority = depth + consistency + relevance.
Search engines (especially Google) are increasingly rewarding sites that demonstrate topical depth. This aligns with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), a principle central to Google’s search quality guidelines.
Why Topical Authority Matters More Than DA
- Google’s Algorithms Favor Relevance Google’s goal is to serve users the best content for their search intent. If your site is laser-focused on a niche and offers detailed content covering all subtopics, it signals relevance and trust.
- You Don’t Need High DA to Rank Sites with low DA but high topical relevance often outrank big sites in niche queries. Authority isn’t just about backlinks anymore—it’s about content coverage and user value.
- It’s Harder to Fake Unlike DA, which can be inflated with spammy links, topical authority must be earned. This builds long-term SEO strength.
- Improves User Engagement When your content is truly helpful and interconnected, users stay longer, explore more, and trust your brand.
How to Build Topical Authority (Step-by-Step Guide)
Let’s break it down into practical steps.
1. Choose Your Topical Focus
Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Choose a niche that aligns with your expertise or your audience’s needs. Examples:
- Instead of a broad fitness blog, focus on “strength training for beginners.”
- Instead of general finance, focus on “budgeting tips for young professionals.”
Tip: Use tools like Google Trends, Ahrefs, or Semrush to find demand and competition levels.
2. Create a Content Silo Structure
A content silo is a group of related content organized under a core topic. Think of it like building a library:
- Pillar Page (broad, comprehensive)
- Cluster Content (specific subtopics that link back to the pillar)
Example:
- Pillar: “Beginner’s Guide to Strength Training”
- Cluster: “How to Do a Proper Squat”
- Cluster: “Best Equipment for Home Strength Training”
- Cluster: “Weekly Strength Training Plan for Beginners”
Internal linking is key to connect these pages and signal topical relationships to search engines.
3. Do In-Depth Keyword Research
Find keywords not just for volume but coverage. Tools like:
- Google’s “People Also Ask”
- Answer the Public
- Ahrefs Keyword Explorer
Identify:
- Short-tail (e.g., “strength training”)
- Long-tail (e.g., “strength training with resistance bands at home”)
- Questions and pain points
4. Create High-Quality, Comprehensive Content
Don’t just churn out fluff. Make your content:
- Well-researched
- Original and insightful
- Rich with media (images, charts, videos)
- Structured with headers, bullets, and FAQs
Make sure each piece adds unique value and builds upon your topical cluster.
5. Optimize Internal Linking
Link logically between related articles. This:
- Helps search engines crawl your site
- Distributes authority
- Enhances UX by guiding readers
Use descriptive anchor text like “beginner squat tutorial” instead of “click here.”
6. Update Content Regularly
Stale content loses ranking power. Review your content every 6–12 months:
- Refresh stats
- Add new insights
- Fix broken links
- Improve formatting
7. Promote Organically and Build Natural Links
Don’t obsess over DA or paid backlinks. Focus on:
- Earning mentions through value-packed content
- Guest posting in your niche
- Sharing genuinely useful insights on forums, communities, and social platforms
Topical authority often results in natural backlinks over time.
8. Showcase Author Expertise
Include author bios with relevant experience. Link to their social profiles, credentials, or published work. This enhances your E-E-A-T signals.
Real-Life Example: Topical Authority in Action Let’s say you run a blog about plant-based diets. Instead of just publishing random recipes or articles, you build a hub:
Pillar Page: “Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Plant-Based Eating”
- Cluster: “Plant-Based Grocery List on a Budget”
- Cluster: “Plant-Based Meal Plan for One Week”
- Cluster: “Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet Backed by Science”
- Cluster: “How to Get Protein on a Plant-Based Diet”
You interlink these pages, update them regularly, and cite credible sources. Over time, Google sees you as an authority in plant-based living—even if your DA is 22.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Chasing links over content quality
- Publishing without a content strategy
- Ignoring internal linking
- Covering too many unrelated topics
- Not aligning with user intent
Conclusion: Stop Chasing DA—Build Real Authority
Domain Authority might feel like a shortcut, but it’s no longer the most effective SEO goal. Instead, focus on building topical authority—a strategy that aligns with how Google actually ranks content and how users actually consume it.
When you consistently deliver helpful, interconnected, high-quality content within a focused topic, you don’t just rank—you earn trust, build an audience, and sustain growth.
So, the next time someone asks, “What’s your DA?” just smile and say, “I’m building topical authority.”
With 5+ years of SEO experience, I’m passionate about helping others boost their online presence. I share actionable SEO tips for everyone—from beginners to experts.
