Search engine optimization (SEO) involves many metrics that help website owners understand how well their pages can perform in search results. While keyword optimization, content quality, and technical SEO are important, authority metrics provide another valuable perspective on a page's potential to rank.

One of the most recognized authority metrics is Page Authority (PA). It estimates the ranking strength of an individual webpage based on multiple SEO factors, particularly backlinks. Whether you're analyzing your own content or researching competitors, a Page Authority Checker provides valuable insights that can guide your SEO strategy.

The Page Authority Checker at SmallWebTools is a fast, free, and user-friendly tool that allows users to check the authority of any webpage. Simply enter a URL, click the check button, and instantly receive the Page Authority score along with other important SEO metrics.

What is Page Authority?

Page Authority (PA) is an SEO metric developed by Moz that predicts how likely a single webpage is to rank in search engine results. Unlike Domain Authority (DA), which measures the strength of an entire website, Page Authority focuses only on one specific URL. PA is a third-party metric rather than a Google ranking factor, but it is widely used for comparing pages and tracking SEO progress.

The score ranges from 1 to 100, where:

• 1–20: Very Low Authority
• 21–40: Developing Authority
• 41–60: Good Authority
• 61–80: Strong Authority
• 81–100: Exceptional Authority

Because PA uses a logarithmic scale, improving from 20 to 30 is much easier than improving from 70 to 80.

Why Page Authority Matters

Although Google does not directly use Page Authority as a ranking factor, PA serves as a useful benchmark for evaluating the strength of a webpage compared with competitors. SEO professionals commonly use it to:

• Analyze competitors
• Evaluate backlink opportunities
• Identify strong landing pages
• Prioritize SEO improvements
• Monitor long-term SEO growth
• Compare internal pages
• Measure the impact of link-building campaigns

Instead of guessing which pages deserve attention, Page Authority provides a measurable indicator for SEO planning.

How Page Authority is Calculated

Page Authority is calculated using machine learning models that analyze numerous ranking-related signals, with backlinks playing a major role. Moz has indicated that many link-based factors contribute to the score rather than any single metric.

Common factors include:

1. Backlink Quality

Links from trusted, authoritative websites contribute more than links from low-quality sites.

Example:

• Link from Forbes → High value
• Link from a spam website → Very little value

2. Number of Referring Domains

Receiving backlinks from many unique websites is generally stronger than receiving many links from the same site.

3. Link Relevance

Backlinks from websites in your industry carry greater SEO value than unrelated links.

4. Internal Linking

A strong internal linking structure helps distribute authority across your website and supports important pages.

5. Overall Link Profile

Search engines and SEO tools evaluate:

• Link diversity
• Link freshness
• Follow vs. nofollow balance
• Anchor text quality
• Spam indicators

6. Content Quality

Pages that provide valuable, original, and comprehensive information are more likely to attract natural backlinks, indirectly improving Page Authority over time.

Features of the SmallWebTools Page Authority Checker

The Page Authority Checker is designed to provide quick and reliable SEO insights.

Key features include:

• Free to use
• Instant results
• No registration required
• Supports individual webpage analysis
• Displays Page Authority score
• Shows Domain Authority
• Helps compare competitors
• User-friendly interface
• Works on desktop and mobile
• Fast processing

These features make it useful for bloggers, SEO professionals, marketers, agencies, and website owners.

How to Use the Page Authority Checker

Using the tool is simple.

Step 1

Open the Page Authority Checker.

Step 2

Enter the complete webpage URL.

Example:

https://example.com/blog/seo-guide

Step 3

Click Check.

Step 4

Wait a few seconds while the tool analyzes the page.

Step 5

Review the results, including:

• Page Authority
• Domain Authority
• Additional authority-related metrics (where available)

The process takes only a few seconds and helps you evaluate the SEO strength of a page.

Understanding Page Authority Scores

PA 1–20

Typical for:

• New websites
• Recently published pages
• Pages with very few backlinks

SEO Focus:

• Publish quality content
• Build foundational backlinks
• Improve internal linking

PA 21–40

Represents:

• Growing websites
• Moderately optimized pages
• Initial backlink acquisition

SEO Focus:

• Earn niche-relevant backlinks
• Update content regularly
• Strengthen topical authority

PA 41–60

A strong level for many websites.

Characteristics:

• Established backlink profile
• Good internal SEO
• Better ranking potential

PA 61–80

Usually found on:

• Major brands
• Popular blogs
• Industry-leading resources

These pages often rank competitively for difficult keywords.

PA 81–100

Reserved for highly authoritative pages such as:

• Wikipedia
• Government websites
• Major news organizations
• Global brands

Achieving this level requires exceptional authority and a very strong backlink profile.

Page Authority vs Domain Authority

Although both metrics are related, they measure different things.

For example:

Website:

example.com

Homepage:

PA 62

Blog Article:

PA 29

Another Blog Article:

PA 48

The domain may have strong authority overall, while individual pages vary significantly.

Factors That Improve Page Authority

Improving PA requires consistent SEO work over time.

Create Exceptional Content

High-quality content naturally earns backlinks.

Focus on:

• Original research
• Long-form guides
• Case studies
• Tutorials
• Statistics
• Infographics

Build High-Quality Backlinks

Quality matters far more than quantity.

Good backlink sources include:

• Industry blogs
• Guest posts
• News websites
• Educational resources
• Relevant directories

Avoid buying spammy links, which can hurt your site's reputation.

Improve Internal Linking

Connect related pages using descriptive anchor text.

Benefits include:

• Better crawlability
• Stronger authority distribution
• Improved user navigation

Update Existing Content

Refreshing outdated pages with new information can improve their usefulness and help attract new backlinks over time.

Optimize On-Page SEO

Ensure every page includes:

• Optimized title tag
• Meta description
• Proper headings
• Relevant keywords
• Image alt text
• Clean URLs

Improve User Experience

Pages that load quickly, work well on mobile devices, and provide a positive user experience are more likely to attract engagement and natural links.

Common Mistakes That Reduce Page Authority

Avoid these SEO mistakes:

• Publishing thin or duplicate content
• Ignoring internal linking
• Acquiring low-quality backlinks
• Using keyword stuffing
• Leaving broken links unresolved
• Publishing outdated information
• Neglecting technical SEO
• Failing to earn relevant backlinks

Correcting these issues helps create a stronger foundation for authority growth.

Benefits of Using a Page Authority Checker

Regularly checking Page Authority helps you:

• Track SEO progress
• Compare competitors
• Discover high-value pages
• Prioritize optimization efforts
• Monitor backlink campaigns
• Identify pages needing improvement
• Evaluate guest posting opportunities
• Support long-term SEO planning

Checking authority periodically makes it easier to measure the effectiveness of your SEO work.

Best Practices for Increasing Page Authority

For sustainable growth:

• Publish valuable, original content consistently.
• Earn backlinks from trustworthy, relevant websites.
• Strengthen internal linking across related pages.
• Improve page speed and mobile usability.
• Refresh older content with updated information.
• Promote content through social media and outreach.
• Focus on topical authority within your niche.
• Monitor Page Authority trends rather than daily fluctuations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Page Authority a Google ranking factor?

No. Page Authority is a third-party metric created by Moz. Google does not use PA directly, but the underlying factors that influence PA—such as high-quality backlinks and strong content—are important for SEO.

What is a good Page Authority score?

Generally:

• 20+ = Average
• 40+ = Good
• 60+ = Excellent
• 80+ = Exceptional

The ideal score depends on the competitiveness of your niche.

How often should I check Page Authority?

Monthly or after major SEO campaigns is usually sufficient. Authority scores change gradually as link data is updated.

Can new websites have high Page Authority?

New websites usually start with low PA. Individual pages can improve significantly over time by earning quality backlinks and publishing valuable content.

What's the difference between PA and DA?

Page Authority measures the strength of a single webpage, while Domain Authority measures the overall authority of an entire domain.

Conclusion

Page Authority is a valuable SEO metric for evaluating the ranking potential of individual webpages. While it should not be viewed as an official Google ranking signal, it offers a practical way to benchmark pages, compare competitors, and measure the impact of your SEO efforts over time.

By using the Page Authority Checker, you can quickly analyze any URL, understand its authority, and identify opportunities to strengthen your content, backlink profile, and overall search visibility. Combined with high-quality content, technical SEO, and ethical link building, monitoring Page Authority can support smarter, data-driven optimization decisions.