A Moz metric predicting the ranking ability of a page on a scale of 1–100. Have you ever wondered why some pages rank higher than others on Google, even when they have similar content? It’s not magic; it’s often because of something called Page Authority! I am going to explain exactly what Page Authority is and how it affects your website. I will also give you simple, actionable tips to boost your score, no matter what kind of website you have.
What is Page Authority (PA)?
Page Authority, or PA, is a score developed by Moz that predicts how well a specific page on your website will rank on search engines. It’s a score from 1 to 100, with a higher number meaning a greater chance of ranking. I like to think of it as a single page’s personal reputation score.
It’s important to know that Page Authority is not a Google ranking factor itself. Instead, it is a helpful tool that SEO experts use to measure a page’s strength. The score is based on many factors, especially the quality and number of backlinks pointing to that specific page.
Page Authority vs. Domain Authority
People often get confused between Page Authority and Domain Authority. I think of it this way: Domain Authority (DA) is the reputation of my entire website, like my brand’s overall standing. Page Authority (PA) is the individual reputation of a single page, like one specific blog post or product page. I can have a website with a high DA, but a new page I just created will start with a low PA.
How Page Authority Impacts Different CMS Platforms
The concept of Page Authority is universal, no matter what CMS you use. The way I work to improve it, however, can be different. The tools I use and the built-in features of my platform can affect my strategy.
WordPress
On WordPress, I have a lot of control to build a high PA. I can easily create great content and use plugins to manage internal links, which are a key factor. I also find it simple to build a blog and link from new posts to older, important pages to help their PA grow over time.
Shopify & Wix
With Shopify or Wix, the overall site structure is already well-organized, which helps. My focus for improving PA is on creating great product descriptions and blog content. I also have to pay close attention to building external links to specific product pages to help them rank higher.
Webflow & Custom CMS
When I use a custom CMS or Webflow, I have full freedom to design the site architecture for maximum PA. I can build a strong internal linking structure from the start. This allows me to pass “link juice” from high-authority pages to new or important pages more effectively.
Page Authority and Different Industries
No matter what business I am in, a high Page Authority is a sign of a strong, healthy website. I tailor my content and link-building efforts to my specific industry to get the best results.
Ecommerce
For my ecommerce store, I focus on building Page Authority for my main product and category pages. I do this by getting links from product review sites and blogs. I also write detailed blog posts about my products and link to them from the blog, which helps them gain authority.
Local Businesses
For a local business, I work on increasing the PA of my service pages. I get links from local business directories, community websites, and local news outlets. I also create blog posts about local events or tips and link back to my main service pages.
SaaS & Blogs
As a SaaS company, I need high PA for my feature and pricing pages. I earn links by writing great guides and case studies that get mentioned by industry blogs. For my blog, I focus on creating in-depth articles that other websites want to link to, which naturally raises my page authority.
FAQ
Q1: Is a higher Page Authority score always better?
A: Yes, generally a higher score is better. It means my page has a better chance of ranking well. But I should compare my PA to my competitors’ scores, not just focus on the number itself. If my competitor has a PA of 30, and mine is 35, I am doing great.
Q2: How long does it take to increase Page Authority?
A: It takes time. Building high-quality links is not an overnight process. I focus on a long-term strategy of creating great content and getting natural links, which can take several months to see a significant increase in PA.
Q3: How can I check my website’s Page Authority?
A: I can use tools like Moz’s Link Explorer or the MozBar Chrome extension. These tools allow me to easily check the PA for any page on the web.
