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Quick check on Competitor Domain Age & Authority: What the Data Says
To put this debate into perspective, I analyzed five competitors in my niche using WHOIS data to check domain age and Ahrefs to verify their Domain Authority (DA). Here’s what I found:
| Rank | Domain Age | Domain Authority (Ahrefs) |
| #1 | 2004-06-17 | 49 |
| #2 | 2017-06-07 | 53 |
| #3 | 2000-05-24 | 54 |
| #4 | 2008-04-12 | 47 |
| #5 | 1998-06-26 | 48 |
Key Observations From the Data
- Domain Age vs. Ranking:
- The oldest domain (1998) is ranked #5, while a newer domain (2017) holds the #2 position.
- This suggests that domain age alone does not determine search ranking.
- Domain Authority (DA) Insights:
- The highest DA (54) belongs to the #3 ranked site, not the top-ranked one.
- DA, a metric developed by Moz, is not a direct Google ranking factor but indicates the site’s backlink profile strength.
- Content and Optimization:
- High-quality content and effective on-site optimization are likely contributing to higher rankings, regardless of domain age.
So does domain age matter?
Domain age does not determine rankings. What really moves the needle is a mix of:
✔ Consistent, high-quality content
✔ Earning natural, high-value backlinks
✔ Optimized on-site SEO (technical, UX, mobile-friendliness)
Instead of worrying about how old your domain is, focus on how valuable your content is and how well you optimize your site. That’s what truly drives rankings in 2024 and beyond.
Checking other niche to confirm my thought
To further explore this topic, I analyzed the top five “vintage shop” websites, considering their domain age, Domain Authority, mobile page speed performance, and overall SEO scores from WooRank:
| Rank | Domain Age | Domain Authority | PS Mobile Avg. | WooRank Score |
| #1 | 2004-04-19 | 10 | 87.75 | 74 |
| #2 | 2013-07-16 | 0.2 | 68.5 | 61 |
| #3 | 2021-01-07 | 1.6 | 81 | 68 |
| #4 | 2006-05-24 | 42 | 73 | 72 |
| #5 | 2022-02-16 | 11 | 90.75 | 65 |
Insights:
- Domain Age and Ranking:
- The top-ranked site dates back to 2004, but newer domains (2021, 2022) are also performing well.
- This reinforces that domain age is not a sole determinant of ranking.
- Domain Authority Variations:
- There’s a wide range of Domain Authority scores, with the highest (42) not necessarily correlating with the top position.
- This indicates that while backlinks are important, they are part of a broader SEO strategy.
- Page Speed and User Experience:
- Mobile page speed scores are generally high across the board, highlighting the importance of fast-loading sites for user retention and SEO.
- Google considers page speed a significant ranking factor, as it directly impacts user experience.
- Comprehensive SEO Efforts:
- WooRank scores, reflecting overall SEO health, vary but suggest that technical SEO, content quality, and user experience collectively influence rankings.
What Truly Influences SEO Rankings
The analyses across different niches demonstrate that while domain age and authority metrics provide context, they are not definitive factors in search rankings. Instead, the focus should be on:
- High-Quality Content: Creating valuable, relevant, and regularly updated content that meets user intent.
- Technical SEO: Ensuring site speed, mobile-friendliness, secure connections (HTTPS), and proper site architecture.
- User Experience (UX): Designing intuitive, accessible, and engaging websites that encourage longer visits and lower bounce rates.
- Quality Backlinks: Building a diverse and authoritative backlink profile through genuine relationships and valuable content.
By prioritizing these elements, websites—regardless of their age—can achieve and maintain strong search engine rankings.
Please Make it Short:
Does an older domain rank better in Google?
No, Google has confirmed that domain age is not a direct ranking factor. However, older websites often have stronger backlink profiles, more content, and established trust, which indirectly helps their rankings.
What are the real SEO ranking factors?
The most important SEO ranking factors include:
High-quality content that meets user intent.
Strong backlinks from authoritative sites.
Technical SEO (site speed, structured data, Core Web Vitals).
Mobile-friendliness & user experience (UX).
Proper keyword optimization without spammy tactics.
Can a new domain outrank an older one?
Yes, a new website can outrank an older domain if it:
✔ Publishes better, more valuable content.
✔ Gains quality backlinks from trusted sources.
✔ Is technically optimized (fast, mobile-friendly, well-structured).
✔ Builds brand trust and engages users.
How do I improve SEO for a new website?
If you’re starting with a fresh domain, here’s what to focus on:
✔ Content: Create in-depth, well-researched, and original content.
✔ Backlinks: Earn links from reputable sites in your industry.
✔ Technical SEO: Optimize for fast loading times, proper indexing, and structured data.
✔ User Engagement: Encourage social shares, comments, and discussions.
Does Google consider Domain Authority (DA) for rankings?
No, Domain Authority (DA) is not a Google ranking factor. It’s a third-party metric from Moz, and while it can indicate how strong a website’s backlink profile is, it has no direct influence on Google’s algorithm. Google focuses more on relevance, quality, and trustworthiness rather than DA scores.