Published on 2025-06-29T19:14:47Z

What is Page Authority? Definition, Importance, and Examples

Page Authority (PA) is a proprietary metric developed by Moz to predict how well a specific page will rank on search engine results pages (SERPs) on a scale from 1 to 100. It aggregates dozens of link and on-page factors—such as backlink quality, content relevance, and technical signals—into a single score. While similar in concept to Domain Authority, PA focuses exclusively on individual URLs, making it essential for benchmarking landing pages, blog posts, and product pages. In the context of CRO, UX, and SEO, tracking PA helps marketers prioritize optimization efforts, identify weak pages in need of link outreach, and measure the impact of design or content changes over time. Tools like Prevue.me can provide actionable critiques—covering SEO, UX, accessibility, and lead-generation—that directly influence Page Authority improvements.

Illustration of Page authority
Illustration of Page authority

Page authority

Page Authority is a Moz metric predicting a page's ranking strength, guiding SEO, CRO, and UX strategies.

What is Page Authority?

Page Authority (PA) is a metric developed by Moz to predict how well a specific page will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs) based on a scale of 1 to 100. It aggregates various link and on-page factors to estimate page strength. While similar to Domain Authority, it is page-specific and used to benchmark individual pages. Marketers and SEO professionals monitor PA to prioritize optimization efforts and link-building strategies. PA scores help in comparing pages and tracking optimization over time.

  • Page authority definition

    A numerical score from 1 to 100 that estimates a single page’s ability to rank in search engine results. Higher scores indicate greater likelihood of ranking well.

  • Differentiating from domain authority

    Unlike Domain Authority, which measures the strength of an entire domain or subdomain, Page Authority focuses on individual URLs. It isolates factors affecting one page’s SEO performance.

  • Importance in seo metrics

    PA provides a granular view of which specific pages are strong or weak, guiding content optimization, link-building, and A/B testing of landing pages.

How Page Authority is Calculated

Page Authority scores are calculated using a machine learning model that combines hundreds of ranking factors. It calibrates data from link metrics, site structure, and search signals to predict ranking likelihood. The exact algorithm is proprietary to Moz and updated periodically to reflect search engine changes. Recognizing the main factors can help in targeted optimizations. While the absolute score isn’t shared across different tools, relative increases indicate improvement.

  • Link profile quality

    Quality and quantity of inbound links towards a page significantly influence PA. Links from high-authority, relevant domains boost scores more than low-quality ones.

    • Quality over quantity:

      Links from reputable, contextually relevant websites carry more weight than numerous low-authority links.

    • Anchor text relevance:

      Descriptive anchor text related to the page’s topic adds context and improves link value.

  • On-page signals

    On-page elements like keyword usage, content relevance, HTML tags, and metadata contribute to a page’s authority by signaling topic relevance to search engines.

    • Title and header tags:

      Use clear, keyword-rich titles and H1–H3 tags to structure content.

    • Meta descriptions and keywords:

      Optimize meta descriptions with relevant keywords to improve click-through rates and relevance.

  • Other factors

    Additional signals such as social shares, user engagement metrics, and site performance may indirectly affect Page Authority by influencing algorithmic assessments.

    • User engagement:

      Low bounce rates and high time-on-page indicate valuable content, potentially boosting authority.

    • Page speed:

      Faster-loading pages improve user experience and can positively impact ranking potential.

Why Page Authority Matters for CRO, UX, and SEO

Page Authority isn’t just an SEO metric; it intersects with user experience and conversion optimization. Higher authority often correlates with greater user trust and visibility, leading to improved engagement and conversion rates. CRO practitioners can use PA as an indicator of pages most likely to convert if optimized further. Understanding PA helps UX designers pinpoint which pages warrant design investments. By aligning SEO gains with CRO and UX improvements, businesses drive more qualified traffic and leads.

  • Impact on user trust

    Pages with high authority often rank well, signaling credibility to users. Trustworthy pages encourage deeper engagement and repeat visits.

  • Influence on conversion rates

    Authority pages that attract organic traffic are prime candidates for conversion rate optimization through clear calls-to-action and UX enhancements.

  • Correlation with user engagement

    Well-optimized, authoritative pages tend to deliver valuable content, reducing bounce rates and boosting session durations.

Strategies to Improve Page Authority

Boosting Page Authority requires a holistic approach combining technical SEO, content excellence, and strategic outreach. Focus on creating link-worthy content, optimizing on-page elements, and ensuring seamless user experiences. Regular auditing and iterative improvements can drive steady authority gains. Incorporating CRO best practices and accessibility ensures pages appeal to both users and search algorithms.

  • Content optimization

    Produce in-depth, original content that addresses user intent and incorporates target keywords naturally.

    • Use multimedia elements:

      Integrate images, videos, and infographics to enrich content and increase shareability.

    • Regular content updates:

      Keep content fresh by updating stats, adding new sections, and refining language.

  • Quality link building

    Implement outreach strategies such as guest blogging, resource pages, and influencer partnerships to earn high-quality backlinks.

    • Guest posting:

      Publish authoritative articles on reputable sites to secure contextual backlinks.

    • Broken link building:

      Identify broken links on high-DA sites and propose your content as a replacement.

  • Technical seo and ux enhancements

    Optimize page load speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture to improve crawlability and user experience.

    • Improve page speed:

      Compress images, leverage browser caching, and minimize JavaScript to reduce load times.

    • Enhance mobile ux:

      Ensure layouts are responsive, touch-friendly, and accessible on all devices.

  • Accessibility improvements

    Implement ARIA roles, descriptive alt texts, and keyboard navigability to make your page inclusive and meet accessibility standards.

    • Alt text for images:

      Provide descriptive alt attributes for screen readers and SEO benefits.

    • Keyboard navigation:

      Ensure interactive elements can be accessed and operated via keyboard alone.

Leveraging Prevue.me for Page Authority Growth

prevue.me offers actionable critiques to enhance Page Authority through SEO, UX, CRO, lead generation, and accessibility insights. By analyzing page elements, link profiles, and user journeys, prevue.me surfaces opportunities to optimize authority-driving factors. Real-time recommendations guide teams in prioritizing high-impact changes, tracking improvements over time.

  • Actionable seo critiques

    prevue.me highlights on-page SEO issues like missing meta tags, insufficient keyword density, and broken links with clear remediation steps.

  • Cro and lead generation recommendations

    The platform identifies call-to-action placement issues, form friction points, and messaging gaps to increase conversions.

  • Ux and accessibility feedback

    prevue.me evaluates page layout, color contrast, and ARIA compliance to ensure both user and search engine accessibility.

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