Page Authority (PA) is a score from 1-100 predicting how well pages will rank in search results. Higher scores indicate greater ability to rank. PA is calculated using a machine learning model on dozens of ranking factors, especially external links. It fluctuates as the algorithm’s data changes.

PA is best used comparatively between pages rather than as an absolute score. It differs from Domain Authority in assessing individual pages rather than full domains.

How Page Authority is Calculated

Page Authority is calculated by Mozscape, Moz’s link index and metric platform. It uses a machine learning model trained on millions of web pages to analyze over 200 different ranking factors. The most important factors in determining PA are:

• The quantity and quality of external links pointing to a page
• The authority of the pages linking to the page
• How trustworthy and relevant the linking domains are

Because PA relies on a machine learning model, scores fluctuate over time as new data comes in and the algorithm updates itself. Page Authority is not a static score – it reflects the current state of a page’s link profile.

Using Page Authority Effectively

Page Authority is best used to compare ranking ability between pages, not as an absolute score. For example, you could compare the PA of your product pages to competitors’ product pages to see which may rank higher. Or track changes in PA over time to gauge improvements.

The 1-100 score scale is meant to provide a quick snapshot, not an in-depth analysis. You can’t expect a page with PA 10 to necessarily outrank a page with PA 9. The scores are directional indicators, not precise forecasts.

Page Authority differs from Domain Authority (DA) in that it assesses individual pages on a site, not the overall domain. DA indicates the ranking strength of a full website, while PA focuses on specific pages.

Checking Your Page Authority Scores

You can find Page Authority data for any URL in Moz’s Link Explorer tool. Link Explorer will show the PA score for the page as well as the top linking domains and other metrics.

Alternatively, the MozBar browser extension displays PA scores directly on Google search results, so you can quickly view the PA of ranking pages. This allows easy comparison between your site’s PA and competitors’ PA for target keywords.

Here is a step-by-step process for installing the MozBar browser extension to check Page Authority scores:

For Chrome:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for “MozBar” or navigate directly to https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mozbar/eakacpaijcpapndcfffdgphdiccmpknp.
2. Click “Add to Chrome” on the MozBar listing page.
3. In the pop-up window, click “Add Extension” to confirm installing MozBar.
4. If prompted, click the puzzle piece icon to pin MozBar to your Chrome toolbar. This makes it easily accessible.
5. Go to any Google search result page and you should now see Page Authority scores next to the blue links!

For Firefox or Other Browsers:

• Since the Firefox extension was discontinued, you’ll need to check Page Authority using the MozBar Chrome extension or through Moz’s Link Explorer tool directly.
• To use Link Explorer, first create a free Moz account at moz.com/products/pro/seo-toolbar.
• Then go to Moz Link Explorer and enter any URL to see its Page Authority score along with other link metrics.
• You can also install the MozBar Chrome extension and log in to your Moz account there. Then when you switch to Firefox or another browser, the PA scores will sync across through your Moz account.

So in summary, to see Page Authority data in Firefox or other browsers now, either use the MozBar Chrome extension while logged into your Moz account, or look up URLs directly in Moz Link Explorer. Let me know if you need any clarification on the updated process!

Increasing Your Page Authority

The best way to improve your Page Authority scores is by building high-quality backlinks from authoritative sites. Earning links from domains with high Domain Authority will in turn boost your PA.

Here are some tips for building links to enhance Page Authority:

• Produce high-quality, in-depth content that sites in your industry will want to link to. Useful, insightful content attracts natural links.
• Reach out to reputable sites and pitch guest posting opportunities. Landing links from authoritative domains greatly improves PA.
• Participate actively in your industry communities. Comment on other blogs, forums, and social media to build relationships and get noticed.
• Monitor your progress over time. Page Authority fluctuates regularly, so track it to assess the impact of your link building efforts.

Page Authority Impact on Overall Rankings

Higher Page Authority scores strongly correlate with better search engine rankings. Pages with higher PA tend to outperform pages with lower PA for target keywords.

For example, a detailed beginner’s guide with PA 45 will generally outrank a lower-quality overview page with PA 25 for the keyword “getting started.” Although not a perfect predictor, higher PA makes it more likely your content will rank well.

Specific real-world examples:

• An in-depth tutorial page on Moz’s site enjoyed a PA boost from 32 to 52 over several months. At the same time, it jumped from #6 to #2 in Google for the target keyword.
• An analysis page on another site sank in PA from 67 to 51 due to lost backlinks. Its Google ranking declined from #1 to #4 for its main keyword over the same period.

Comparing Page Authority to Domain Authority

Page Authority and Domain Authority are similar in that they both aim to predict search ranking ability by analyzing link profiles. However, there are some key differences:

• PA assesses individual pages; DA evaluates overall domains
• PA scores fluctuate more rapidly as page content and links change; DA is more stable over time
• New or low-content pages can still gain strong PA through authoritative links; new domains struggle to gain DA without extensive link building
• PA provides more granular insight into targeting specific keywords; DA gives a broader view of domain strength

In summary, Page Authority is more useful for comparing ranking potential between specific pages for chosen keywords. Domain Authority indicates overall domain strength for assessing broad SEO progress.

Common Misconceptions About Page Authority

Page Authority is often misunderstood, leading to some common misconceptions. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• PA is not a direct ranking factor used by Google. It is an independent metric calculated by Moz. Google does not check Page Authority scores.
• You cannot directly increase PA through on-page optimization or keyword targeting. PA is influenced by links, not on-page factors.
• PA scores are not absolute. A PA of 34 does not necessarily mean a page will rank higher than a page with PA 32. The scores are directional.
• New pages can gain high PA quickly with authoritative links, even with little content. PA does not always reflect content quality or depth.
• Pages with low PA can still rank well for niche keywords with little competition. PA is most predictive for competitive, high-traffic keywords.

In summary, PA is best used as a guideline for gauging pages’ overall ranking potential. But many other factors come into play for actual search rankings. PA has limits like any metric.

Monitoring and Maintaining Page Authority

Gaining Page Authority through link building is one thing, but maintaining it long-term is crucial. Here are some tips for monitoring and keeping your PA scores:

• Set up tracking in Moz tools to receive notifications of significant PA fluctuations. This way you can respond promptly if a page loses authority.
• Watch for PA drops after site redesigns or URL structure changes, which can cause pages to lose link equity. Redirect old URLs to preserve PA.
• Check PA if rankings suddenly decline. A PA drop could explain the change in search performance.
• Disavow low-quality links if you suspect they are artificially inflating your PA scores. Focus on building high-quality links.
• When creating new content, check its PA after a few months. Compare it to existing pages and competitors to gauge success.
• Segment your site’s pages by PA tiers to identify lower-authority pages to improve or cull.

Monitoring PA not only helps diagnose ranking issues but informs link building priorities. Paying attention to PA changes can prevent losses and sustain the gains you’ve made.

Leveraging Page Authority in Link Reclamation

If your site has lost valuable backlinks due to a redesign, content removal, or other issues, you may be able to reclaim some of those lost links and their Page Authority value through outreach.

Sort lost links by the Page Authority of the linking pages. Prioritize reclaiming links from pages with higher authority, as these will have the greatest impact on restoring your PA.

When conducting link reclamation outreach, remind site owners of the value your content previously provided for their audience. Demonstrate that their high-authority links to your content were deserved, which can motivate them to restore or replace the links.

Monitoring PA changes from link reclamation efforts shows their incremental impact. Over time, targeted reclamation can notably boost PA for key pages.

Optimizing Page Authority with Existing Assets

Sometimes the solution to improving Page Authority is already on your site, not through new link building. Audit your internal pages to identify opportunities:

• Find relevant, high-performing pages that are not linked from your site’s navigation. Add links from navigation to boost their authority.
• Look for top content that ranks well but has low PA compared to competitors. Increase links to this content from other internal pages to better optimize its PA.
• Consolidate content from old blog posts or media assets into new, comprehensive pages. Redirect links from old URLs to send PA to new pages.
• Change your internal linking structure to redistribute PA from over-optimized pages to those needing a boost.

Your own site’s network of internal links can be leveraged strategically to direct link equity to pages you want to improve. Optimizing internal linking patterns distributes authority for an overall PA boost.

Key Takeaways

• Page Authority is a 1-100 score predicting pages’ search ranking ability through link analysis. Higher scores mean greater ability to rank.
• PA relies on machine learning, incorporating ranking factors like links, trust, and relevance. Scores fluctuate as new data comes in.
• Check and compare PA scores in Moz’s Link Explorer. The best way to improve PA is earning links from other authoritative domains.
• Although an imperfect forecast, higher PA strongly correlates with better search engine rankings for target keywords.
• PA offers more granular insight than Domain Authority into ranking ability for specific pages and keywords.

By understanding and increasing Page Authority, you can better evaluate and improve your pages’ ability to rank high in search results. While not a perfect metric, checking and comparing PA scores provides valuable guidance for SEO campaigns.