Ahrefs DR4 checker
Ahrefs changed how it computes Domain Rating. Enter a website to see its old DR next to the new DR4.
What changes with DR4
Domain Rating is Ahrefs' 0 to 100 score for the strength of a site's backlink profile. DR4 replaces the previous version (DR3) as the default on December 1, 2026. Three changes explain most of the moves you will see:
- Links from spam and low-quality sites carry much less weight, so sites built on them drop hard.
- Subdomains get their own score instead of borrowing the main domain's.
- About half as many sites get a score above 0.
When we re-scored 1,160 directories and publishing sites we use for link building, the median DR fell by 4 points and about 100 of them lost more than 20.
FAQ
What is Ahrefs DR4?
DR4 is the fourth version of Ahrefs' Domain Rating, the 0 to 100 score that estimates the strength of a website's backlink profile. Ahrefs released it as a preview in November 2026 and makes it the default Domain Rating on December 1, 2026.
Why did my Domain Rating drop with DR4?
DR4 is stricter. Links from spammy and low-quality sites count for much less, so sites that relied on them fall, sometimes close to 0. Ahrefs also gives a score above 0 to roughly half as many sites as before.
How does DR4 handle subdomains?
DR4 scores each subdomain on its own. A blog on blog.example.com or a profile on a platform subdomain no longer inherits the score of the main domain, which is why many subdomains lose most of their rating.
Is the old DR (DR3) still available?
Yes, for now. This checker shows both scores side by side so you can see how much your site, your competitors, or a site you plan to get a link from moved.
Should I buy links based on DR4?
If you judge link sellers on Domain Rating, use DR4. Several cheap sites with a decent DR3 fall to almost 0 in DR4. Look at real organic traffic and topical relevance too: DR alone never tells you whether a link will help.
Built by Holly&Stick, an SEO partner for early-stage B2B SaaS. If your DR dropped and you want to know whether it matters for your rankings, book a call.