Traffic gives links more context
DR4 gives more weight to links from sites that Ahrefs estimates receive organic search traffic. A smaller pool of hosts can influence the rating.
FREE DOMAIN INTELLIGENCE
Domain Rating
V4 Check.
Same domain.
A new perspective on authority.
Run a DRv4 check to see your Ahrefs Domain Rating under the new model. Compare DR3 → DR4 and put the change in context.
What changed in DR4DOMAIN RATING / VERSION COMPARE03 → 04
DEMO · VERIFIED SNAPSHOThiggsfield.ai
DR3 Previous model83
DR4 New model78
−5 pointsLower under DR4
This compares two scoring models at the time of your check. It is not a historical gain or loss in backlinks.
Checked · Demo snapshot · Check DRv4 for a fresh result
Domain Rating by Ahrefs0–100 logarithmic scale
ONE HOST. TWO MODELS. A CLEARER BENCHMARK.
A different DR is a different measurement—not a Google penalty.
BACKLINK SOURCES, REBENCHMARKED
Sample changes
A snapshot of 40 directory, launch and social sources. See how the same hosts compare under DR3 and DR4.
VERIFIED SNAPSHOT
Select a source to check its latest scores above. Changes are shown in points.
DR increased with DR4
5 sources| Source | DR3 | DR4 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 72 | +11 | |
| 63 | 71 | +8 | |
| 70 | 77 | +7 | |
| 61 | 68 | +7 | |
| 65 | 66 | +1 |
Domain Rating by Ahrefs
A higher score means these hosts rate more strongly under DR4. It does not establish why an individual score increased.
DR decreased with DR4
30 sources| Source | DR3 | DR4 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 29 | −42 | |
| 60 | 19 | −41 | |
| 72 | 34 | −38 | |
| 76 | 38 | −38 | |
| 64 | 36 | −28 |
Show all 30 decreases
| Source | DR3 | DR4 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | 53 | −28 | |
| 82 | 56 | −26 | |
| 69 | 45 | −24 | |
| 72 | 48 | −24 | |
| 91 | 69 | −22 | |
| 75 | 55 | −20 | |
| 74 | 56 | −18 | |
| 71 | 54 | −17 | |
| 85 | 69 | −16 | |
| 77 | 62 | −15 | |
| 74 | 60 | −14 | |
| 76 | 62 | −14 | |
| 67 | 57 | −10 | |
| 83 | 74 | −9 | |
| 83 | 74 | −9 | |
| 65 | 56 | −9 | |
| 84 | 76 | −8 | |
| 74 | 68 | −6 | |
| 78 | 72 | −6 | |
| 73 | 67 | −6 | |
| 66 | 61 | −5 | |
| 81 | 76 | −5 | |
| 77 | 73 | −4 | |
| 78 | 74 | −4 | |
| 72 | 69 | −3 |
Domain Rating by Ahrefs
A lower score reflects a different model. It does not prove a Google penalty, lost links or a poor placement. Review traffic and relevance alongside DR.
DR stayed the same 5 sources
| Source | DR3 | DR4 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | 94 | 0 | |
| 94 | 94 | 0 | |
| 94 | 94 | 0 | |
| 91 | 91 | 0 | |
| 91 | 91 | 0 |
Domain Rating by Ahrefs
Selected examples, not a ranking of backlink quality. Scores may change after this snapshot. Each comparison measures the model difference at query time, not a change in backlinks over time.
UNDERSTAND THE SHIFT
The number changed.
Here’s the context.
DR4 still measures relative backlink strength. What changes is how that strength is assessed.
Read Ahrefs’ DR4 announcementSubdomains stand on their own
A blog or hosted site no longer automatically shares the strength of its parent domain. Check the exact subdomain where a link will appear.
A lower score needs interpretation
A model change can move your score without any backlinks being lost. Review referring sites, search traffic and relevance before changing your strategy.
FROM CHECK TO DECISION
How to use your Domain Rating V4 check
Recheck a link opportunity
Enter the exact publishing host. Compare its new rating with its traffic and topic before judging the placement.
Reset your competitor benchmark
Run the same check on your site and competitors. Keep comparisons on the same model instead of mixing DR3 and DR4.
Explain a reporting change
Use the point difference to explain a model update. Check Search Console separately for actual changes in search performance.
BEFORE YOU COMPARE
DRv4 Check: common questions
Choose a question for the details.
Are the demo and sample scores live?
The Higgsfield demo and sample tables show a verified snapshot from the date displayed, not a live feed. Select Check DRv4 or choose a source to retrieve its latest scores from Ahrefs. Reset demo returns to the original Higgsfield snapshot.
How do I check Domain Rating V4?
Enter a public domain or subdomain above and select “Check DRv4”. DomainRank requests both versions from the official Ahrefs API and shows DR3, DR4 and the point difference. A full URL is accepted; only its host is checked.
What does the DR3 → DR4 difference mean?
The change is DR4 minus DR3, shown in points rather than a percentage. Both use a 0–100 logarithmic scale. This is a comparison of scoring models at query time, not a record of your score changing over time.
Is this DRv4 check free?
Yes. You can check one host at a time without signing in. Requests are rate limited; please leave at least five seconds between checks. The domain you enter is sent to Ahrefs to retrieve its ratings.
Why can a subdomain have a different DR4?
DR4 evaluates individual subdomains using the backlinks pointing to them. Keep the full host in the input: blog.example.com and example.com can have different ratings.
Does a DR4 drop mean my Google rankings fell?
A rating drop alone cannot tell you that. Domain Rating is an Ahrefs backlink metric, not a Google score. Check your actual clicks, impressions and rankings before drawing conclusions.
Will DR3 always be available?
Ahrefs has announced that DR3 will remain available through the API for a limited period after DR4 rolls out. If the old score cannot be retrieved, this tool shows the available DR4 score and labels the comparison unavailable.
Methodology: ratings from the official Ahrefs API; difference calculated by DomainRank. Domain Rating data license. DomainRank is an independent tool.