Is There Anything on Ahrefs That Measures Topical Trust Flow?

Many SEO professionals wonder about finding a comparable metric when switching from Majestic to Ahrefs. Topical trust flow has helped marketers understand niche-specific authority for years. When you’re evaluating backlink sources or conducting competitor analysis, knowing which tool offers similar insights becomes crucial.

The short answer might surprise you. While Ahrefs doesn’t provide an exact match, several ahrefs metrics can help you assess domain authority within specific industries. You’ll discover practical alternatives throughout this guide.

Understanding both platforms’ approaches makes your link prospecting more effective. Each tool uses different methodologies to evaluate website credibility and relevance. The good news? You can still make informed decisions about potential backlink opportunities.

This article walks you through the closest alternatives available. We’ll explore actionable strategies for measuring niche authority without relying on proprietary scores. You’ll learn how to combine multiple data points to achieve similar results in your SEO workflow.

Key Takeaways

• Ahrefs doesn’t offer a direct equivalent to Majestic’s Topical Trust Flow metric
• Domain Rating and URL Rating serve as alternative authority indicators in Ahrefs
• Combining multiple Ahrefs metrics provides comprehensive topical authority assessment
• Content analysis and referring domain relevance help evaluate niche-specific credibility
• Both platforms use different methodologies to measure website authority and trust
• Practical workarounds exist for SEO professionals transitioning between toolsets

Understanding Topical Trust Flow in Majestic

Majestic SEO pioneered a unique approach to measuring website trust that has become essential for link building strategies worldwide. Their proprietary system goes beyond simple link counting to evaluate the quality of connections between websites. This distinction matters because not all backlinks carry equal weight in determining your site’s credibility.

When comparing different SEO tools, understanding what makes majestic trust flow special helps you identify similar functionality elsewhere. The metric has shaped how digital marketers think about authority and relevance in their backlink profiles.

The Foundation of Trust Measurement

Trust Flow represents Majestic’s answer to a fundamental SEO question: how trustworthy is this website? The metric operates on a scale from 0 to 100, where higher numbers indicate greater trustworthiness. Unlike simple domain authority scores, Trust Flow specifically examines the quality of sites linking to your domain.

The algorithm works by tracing backlinks to their sources. It evaluates whether those linking sites themselves receive links from trusted domains. This creates a chain of trust that flows through the web’s link structure.

Think of it like personal recommendations. A referral from someone respected in your industry carries more weight than a recommendation from a random stranger. Trust Flow applies this same principle to website relationships.

Category-Based Authority Analysis

Topical Trust Flow takes the base Trust Flow concept several steps further. Rather than providing just one authority score, it breaks down trust by specific topic categories. Majestic’s system analyzes billions of URLs and organizes them into distinct topical clusters.

These categories cover virtually every industry and niche imaginable. Health, business, sports, technology, arts, and hundreds of other classifications help paint a complete picture. When you examine a website’s Topical Trust Flow, you see exactly which subjects it holds authority in.

This categorization happens through sophisticated content analysis. Majestic examines the linking sites’ content, anchor text patterns, and thematic consistency. A dental practice website might show high Trust Flow in “Health” and “Business/Healthcare” categories but low scores in unrelated topics like “Sports” or “Entertainment.”

The system updates continuously as new links form and content changes across the web. This dynamic approach ensures the topical classifications remain current and accurate.

Strategic Advantages for Marketing Teams

Digital marketers value Topical Trust Flow for several practical reasons. The metric solves real problems that generic authority scores cannot address effectively. Understanding these benefits clarifies what functionality you should seek in alternative tools.

Finding niche-relevant link opportunities becomes dramatically easier with topical categorization. Instead of chasing any high-authority domain, you can identify sites that have proven trust specifically in your industry. A fitness blogger benefits more from links from health-focused sites than from general news outlets, even if both have similar overall authority.

The metric also helps you avoid building off-topic backlinks that might dilute your topical relevance. Search engines increasingly value thematic consistency in backlink profiles. Links from completely unrelated industries can raise red flags rather than boost rankings.

When evaluating trust flow vs domain rating or other metrics, the topical dimension provides unique insights. You can assess whether a potential link partner is truly authoritative in your specific field. A site might have impressive overall metrics but weak topical trust in your niche—making it a poor link target.

Another valuable application involves competitive analysis. By examining competitors’ Topical Trust Flow profiles, you discover which categories they dominate. This reveals gaps in your own link building strategy and uncovers untapped link sources.

Quality assessment becomes more nuanced with topical data. You can spot websites that artificially inflate their metrics through volume while lacking genuine topical authority. This protects you from wasting outreach efforts on low-value prospects.

The system also helps identify topic drift in your own backlink profile. If you’re receiving many links from irrelevant categories, it signals a need to refine your content strategy or outreach targeting. Maintaining strong topical coherence supports better search engine performance over time.

Ahrefs vs Majestic: Key Differences in SEO Metrics

Two powerful platforms dominate the link analysis space, but Ahrefs and Majestic built their reputations using completely different philosophies. While both tools excel at tracking backlinks and measuring website authority, they approach the challenge from distinct angles. Understanding these differences matters when you’re conducting an SEO tools comparison or searching for ahrefs alternatives that match your specific needs.

Each platform developed its own methodology for crawling the web and interpreting link data. Majestic focuses on building one of the largest historical link indexes available, preserving data that stretches back years. Ahrefs prioritizes fresh data and rapid index updates, sometimes refreshing their link database every 15 minutes for popular websites.

Different Approaches to Link Analysis

Majestic built its reputation on trust-based metrics that evaluate the quality of links through sophisticated graph analysis. Their system examines how websites connect to trusted seed sites, creating a web of authority that flows through links. This approach emphasizes historical patterns and the overall trustworthiness of linking domains.

The platform maintains detailed records of link relationships over time. You can track when links appeared, when they disappeared, and how link profiles evolved across months or years. This historical perspective helps identify long-term patterns in link building strategies.

Ahrefs takes a different path by focusing on actionable intelligence for SEO professionals. Beyond just counting links, the platform integrates keyword rankings, estimated organic traffic, and competitive gap analysis. Their approach emphasizes what you can do with the data rather than just presenting raw metrics.

The crawling methodology differs significantly between these platforms. Majestic’s crawler works independently, building its own map of the internet without relying on external data sources. Ahrefs combines aggressive crawling with practical features like identifying broken backlinks, tracking lost links, and monitoring new link acquisitions in real-time.

The best SEO tool isn’t the one with the most features—it’s the one that answers your specific questions most effectively.

Proprietary Metrics Comparison

When evaluating these platforms for an SEO tools comparison, understanding their proprietary metrics becomes essential. Each tool developed unique measurements that reflect their underlying philosophy about what matters most in link analysis.

Majestic’s signature metrics revolve around trust and citation concepts. Their system assigns numerical values that represent both the quantity and quality of links pointing to a domain. The topical component adds another layer by categorizing links into specific industry verticals.

Ahrefs counters with metrics designed for practical application in daily SEO work. Their measurements connect directly to search visibility and competitive positioning. The platform emphasizes metrics that help predict ranking potential and identify content opportunities.

The comparison reveals fundamental differences in what each platform prioritizes. Majestic developed metrics that emphasize link quality through trust analysis and topical categorization. Their approach helps you understand why links carry authority and how relevance affects that authority within specific niches.

Ahrefs designed their metrics to answer different questions. Domain Rating provides a single number for quick authority assessment, while their traffic metrics help estimate the business value of rankings. The platform integrates competitive intelligence directly into the interface, making it easier to compare your site against competitors.

Neither approach proves inherently superior when searching for ahrefs alternatives or comparing SEO metrics. Majestic excels for deep link graph analysis and understanding trust relationships across the web. Ahrefs shines when you need actionable insights for content strategy, competitor analysis, and tracking ranking improvements.

The key takeaway from this SEO tools comparison centers on matching tools to objectives. If you prioritize understanding topical authority and trust networks, Majestic’s specialized metrics offer unique insights. If you need comprehensive keyword research combined with backlink analysis and traffic estimation, Ahrefs provides an integrated solution.

Both platforms continue evolving their metrics and methodologies. They maintain different crawling schedules, index sizes, and data interpretation frameworks. Understanding these distinctions helps you leverage each tool’s strengths rather than expecting one platform to replicate another’s specialized features.

Is There Anything on Ahrefs That Measures Topical Trust Flow?

If you’re searching for a direct equivalent to Topical Trust Flow in Ahrefs, you might be disappointed at first. Many SEO professionals who switch between tools expect to find similar metrics across platforms. However, each SEO tool develops its own approach to measuring website authority measurement and trust signals.

The relationship between Ahrefs and Majestic’s metrics isn’t one-to-one. While both platforms help you evaluate link quality and site authority, they take different philosophical approaches to presenting this information.

The Direct Answer

No, Ahrefs does not have a direct equivalent to Majestic’s Topical Trust Flow metric. There’s no single score in Ahrefs that categorizes websites by topic and measures trust within those specific categories.

You won’t find a feature that assigns your site to predefined topic categories like “Business,” “Health,” or “Technology” with corresponding trust scores. Majestic built this feature as their unique approach to understanding topical authority, and it remains exclusive to their platform.

But here’s the important part: the absence of this specific metric doesn’t mean you can’t assess topical authority in Ahrefs. You simply need to use a combination of different features and metrics that Ahrefs provides. The process requires a bit more manual analysis, but it often yields deeper insights.

Why Ahrefs Doesn’t Have an Exact Equivalent

Ahrefs has made a deliberate choice to focus on metrics that directly correlate with search visibility and organic traffic. Their philosophy centers on providing data about what’s actually ranking and driving traffic rather than creating predetermined topic categories.

Tim Soulo, CMO of Ahrefs, has emphasized their data-driven approach to SEO metrics:

We believe in showing marketers what’s working in search results rather than creating abstract scores. Our metrics reflect real search performance.

This philosophy means Ahrefs lets users draw their own conclusions about topical authority through content analysis and backlink context. Instead of assigning your site to a category, Ahrefs gives you the tools to analyze topic relevance yourself.

The company believes that combining Domain Rating with content relevance analysis and referring domain quality provides sufficient information for website authority measurement. This approach offers more flexibility since you’re not limited to predefined categories that might not perfectly match your niche.

Additionally, algorithmic topic categorization isn’t always accurate. A site might cover multiple topics or operate in emerging niches that don’t fit standard categories. Ahrefs’ approach allows you to evaluate authority signals within your specific competitive landscape rather than relying on broad categorizations.

Ahrefs Domain Rating: The Closest Alternative

If you’re looking for something similar to Trust Flow in Ahrefs, Domain Rating is your best bet for measuring overall site strength. While it doesn’t include topical categorization like Majestic’s offering, DR provides a comprehensive view of website authority that many SEO professionals rely on daily. Think of it as Ahrefs’ answer to the question of how powerful a website really is in the eyes of search engines.

This metric has become a standard benchmark in the SEO community. It helps marketers evaluate link opportunities, assess competitor strength, and track their own site’s growth over time.

How Domain Rating Works

Domain Rating operates on a straightforward 0-100 scale that measures the strength of a website’s backlink profile. The system analyzes your site relative to all other websites in Ahrefs’ massive database. A higher score indicates a stronger, more authoritative domain.

What makes domain rating particularly interesting is its focus on referring domains rather than individual backlinks. You could have thousands of links, but if they all come from just a handful of websites, your DR won’t be as impressive. Quality and diversity matter significantly more than sheer volume.

The calculation uses a logarithmic formula that creates an interesting challenge for site owners. Jumping from DR 20 to DR 30 might take a few months of consistent link building. However, climbing from DR 70 to DR 80 could take years of strategic effort and high-quality partnerships.

Links from high-DR sites carry substantially more weight in the formula. A single backlink from a DR 90 website can impact your score more than dozens of links from DR 20 sites. This reflects how authority flows through the web’s interconnected structure.

DR vs Trust Flow: Key Similarities

Both metrics share several fundamental characteristics that make them comparable tools for SEO analysis. Understanding these similarities helps you transition between platforms or use both tools in tandem.

The 0-100 scoring system provides familiar ground for marketers working with either platform. Both Ahrefs domain authority and Majestic’s Trust Flow use this range to represent site strength. This makes quick comparisons and benchmarking relatively intuitive across different tools.

Quality trumps quantity in both systems. Neither metric rewards spammy link building or mass directory submissions. Instead, they both emphasize earning links from reputable, authoritative sources within your industry or niche.

The authority of linking domains plays a central role in both calculations. A link from The New York Times or a major university carries weight in both DR and Trust Flow. This shared principle reflects how real-world authority translates into digital metrics.

SEO professionals use both metrics for similar purposes. Whether you’re conducting competitive analysis, evaluating link prospects, or tracking campaign progress, DR and Trust Flow serve comparable strategic functions. Many agencies track both to get a more complete picture of domain authority.

DR vs Trust Flow: Important Differences

Despite their similarities, these metrics diverge in ways that significantly impact how you use them. The most obvious difference is topical categorization—Trust Flow includes it, while DR doesn’t. Majestic tells you whether your backlinks come from relevant industries, but Ahrefs takes a more generalized approach to authority measurement.

Update frequency sets these metrics apart considerably. Ahrefs recrawls the web more aggressively, which means your domain rating updates more frequently as you gain or lose links. Trust Flow updates happen on Majestic’s crawl schedule, which can mean longer waits to see changes reflected.

DR shows stronger correlation with actual Google ranking potential according to various industry studies. While Trust Flow measures trust signals specifically, domain rating aims to represent overall domain strength in a way that mirrors search engine evaluation. This makes DR particularly valuable for predicting ranking capability.

The philosophical focus differs between these tools. Trust Flow concentrates purely on trust signals and link quality from a trust perspective. Domain Rating takes a broader view, attempting to capture the complete picture of a domain’s competitive strength in search results.

Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right tool for specific tasks. If you need topical relevance analysis, Majestic’s Trust Flow provides that layer. For general authority assessment and ranking prediction, domain rating delivers comprehensive insights that align closely with search engine behavior.

Using Ahrefs Content Explorer for Topical Authority Analysis

While Ahrefs lacks a direct Topical Trust Flow equivalent, its Content Explorer tool delivers comprehensive topical authority analysis through a different approach. This powerful database contains billions of web pages and helps you discover which domains consistently produce authoritative content in your niche. Think of it as your research assistant for mapping the competitive landscape of any topic.

The beauty of content explorer ahrefs lies in its flexibility. You can search for any keyword or phrase, then apply multiple filters to identify the true authorities in your space. This manual approach takes a bit more effort than automated metrics, but it provides deeper insights into actual topical focus and content quality.

Filtering by Topic and Niche

Start by entering your core topic keywords into the Content Explorer search bar. This initial search will return thousands or even millions of results, so filtering becomes essential. The key is narrowing down these results to find domains that genuinely focus on your subject area.

Apply filters systematically to refine your results. Set a minimum Domain Rating threshold (usually 40 or higher) to focus on established sites. Filter by organic traffic to identify content that actually ranks and attracts visitors. You can also set a referring domains minimum to ensure the content has earned quality backlinks.

The publication date filter helps you find recently published content, which indicates active players in your niche. Sites that consistently publish fresh content demonstrate ongoing commitment to the topic. This combination of filters creates a snapshot of active topical authorities rather than dormant websites.

Consider these filtering strategies for best results:

• Domain Rating: Set minimum DR of 30-50 depending on your niche competitiveness
• Organic Traffic: Filter for pages receiving at least 100+ monthly visits
• Referring Domains: Look for content with 5+ linking domains
• Language: Specify your target language to avoid irrelevant results
• Publication Date: Focus on content from the past 12-24 months for current players

Analyzing Topical Relevance

Once you’ve filtered your results, the real analysis begins. Examining topical relevance means evaluating whether sites are genuinely focused on your topic or just occasionally touching on it. This distinction separates true authorities from generalists.

Click through to the top-performing domains in your filtered results. Look at the breadth of their content library related to your topic. A site with dozens or hundreds of articles in your niche demonstrates deeper topical commitment than one with just a handful of relevant posts.

Check the consistency of their publishing schedule within your topic area. Do they release new content weekly, monthly, or sporadically? Regular publishing suggests a strategic focus on building topical authority. Also examine whether the site’s overall content strategy aligns with your subject or if your topic is just a small sidebar in their broader content mix.

Pay attention to the content depth as well. Topically authoritative sites typically publish comprehensive guides, detailed tutorials, and in-depth analyses rather than surface-level blog posts. The quality and thoroughness of content signal genuine expertise and investment in the topic.

Finding Authority Sites in Your Industry

Now let’s put everything together into a systematic process for identifying industry authorities. This step-by-step approach helps you build a reliable list of topically authoritative domains you can reference for competitive analysis or outreach.

Follow this methodology to discover the leaders in your space:

1. Search your core topics: Enter 3-5 primary keywords that define your niche into Content Explorer
2. Apply initial filters: Set DR minimum (40+), organic traffic threshold (500+), and recent publication dates
3. Sort results strategically: Try sorting by organic traffic first, then by referring domains to see different perspectives
4. Analyze top domains: Click through to the top 20-30 domains and examine their content breadth in your topic
5. Check backlink profiles: Use Site Explorer to verify these domains earn links from other relevant authorities
6. Create your authority list: Document domains that show consistent topical focus, quality content, and strong metrics

This manual process replicates much of what Topical Trust Flow accomplishes automatically in Majestic. The advantage is that you gain deeper understanding of why these sites are authoritative. You’re not just looking at a number—you’re evaluating actual content strategy, publishing consistency, and topical commitment.

Export your filtered results from Content Explorer to create a working spreadsheet. Track each domain’s DR, estimated organic traffic, number of relevant articles, and publication frequency. This database becomes invaluable for competitive research, link building outreach, and understanding the standards you need to meet in your niche.

The combination of Content Explorer’s filtering power and your manual evaluation creates a robust alternative to automated topical authority metrics. While it requires more hands-on work, this approach often reveals insights that purely algorithmic metrics might miss.

Leveraging Ahrefs Site Explorer for Trust Signals

Ahrefs Site Explorer offers a comprehensive lens for evaluating the trust factors that search engines value most. This flagship feature gives you the power to examine websites from multiple angles, revealing patterns that indicate genuine authority versus artificial link building. While it doesn’t provide a single “topical trust” score, site explorer ahrefs delivers the raw data you need to make informed judgments about site credibility.

The beauty of Site Explorer lies in its depth. You can peel back layers of a domain’s link profile to understand not just what links exist, but why they matter.

Think of it as conducting a thorough background check on a website’s reputation across the internet.

Analyzing Backlink Profiles

Start your investigation by entering any domain into Site Explorer and navigating to the “Backlinks” report. This is where backlink profile analysis begins in earnest. You’ll see every link pointing to that domain, complete with critical details about each connection.

Look beyond the Domain Rating scores of linking sites. That number tells only part of the story.

Pay attention to anchor text distribution across the backlink profile. Natural link profiles show variety in anchor text, with a healthy mix of branded terms, generic phrases like “click here,” and topic-relevant keywords. If you see excessive exact-match anchors, that’s a red flag suggesting manipulation.

The ratio of dofollow to nofollow links matters too. While dofollow links pass authority, a profile consisting of 100% dofollow links looks suspiciously unnatural.

Link velocity deserves your attention as well. Check the “New” and “Lost” tabs to see how quickly the site gains and loses backlinks. Sudden spikes might indicate link purchases or spam campaigns, while steady growth suggests organic authority building.

Here are key indicators to examine during backlink profile analysis:

• Anchor text variety: Natural profiles show diverse anchor text patterns
• Link type balance: Healthy mix of dofollow and nofollow links
• Growth patterns: Steady acquisition rather than suspicious spikes
• Link placement: Editorial content links versus sidebar or footer links

Referring Domains Quality Assessment

Navigate to the “Referring domains” report for a broader view of which sites link to your target domain. This shifts focus from individual links to the sources of those links, which often matters more for trust evaluation.

Quantity means little without quality. A site with 10,000 referring domains from spam blogs carries far less authority than one with 500 links from respected industry publications.

Check whether linking sites are topically relevant to the target domain. If you’re analyzing a health website, backlinks from fitness blogs, medical journals, and wellness brands signal strong topical authority. Links from random niches like gambling or payday loans raise concerns.

Examine the health of the linking domains themselves. Click through to several referring domains and run them through Site Explorer. Do they have legitimate backlink profiles? Are they active sites with recent content? Or do they look like private blog networks (PBNs) designed solely for link manipulation?

Consider these quality factors when assessing referring domains:

• Topical relevance: Do linking sites operate in related industries?
• Site activity: Are they regularly updated with fresh content?
• Traffic levels: Do they attract real visitors, not just exist for links?
• Link profile health: Do the linkers themselves have quality backlinks?

Link Context and Relevance

The final layer of trust assessment requires manual evaluation. Click through to individual backlinks to view them in their native environment. This reveals context that no automated metric can fully capture.

Ask yourself: Does this link appear in relevant, valuable content? A link embedded in a 2,000-word guide about SEO tools carries more weight than one stuffed into a brief, thin article clearly written just for link placement.

Check where the link appears on the page. Editorial links within the main content body signal genuine endorsement. Links relegated to footers, sidebars, or comment sections typically carry less authority and may even indicate spam.

Look at the surrounding text and topic. Is the linking page discussing subjects related to the target site? A link to a marketing software site from an article about marketing automation shows strong topical alignment. A link from an unrelated topic suggests possible link insertion tactics.

This manual process mirrors what Topical Trust Flow quantifies automatically. While it takes more time, you gain deeper insights into the genuine authority and topical relevance of a backlink profile. You’re essentially becoming the algorithm, making qualitative judgments that automated systems approximate.

The effort pays dividends. You’ll spot patterns that numbers alone miss—like a site that looks strong on paper but has suspiciously similar anchor text patterns across dozens of low-quality blogs. Or you’ll discover hidden gems: sites with modest metrics but exceptional editorial links from industry leaders.

Alternative Metrics in Ahrefs for Measuring Site Authority

Ahrefs provides a robust ecosystem of metrics beyond Domain Rating that can help you evaluate site authority from multiple angles. Each metric offers unique insights into different aspects of website credibility and strength. When you combine these measurements, you get a comprehensive view of how authoritative a site truly is.

These complementary metrics work together like pieces of a puzzle. They help you understand not just if a site has authority, but why and where that authority comes from. Let’s explore three essential measurements that deserve your attention.

Understanding Page-Level Authority Scores

URL rating functions as the page-level counterpart to Domain Rating. While DR measures the strength of an entire domain, UR focuses on individual pages. This metric uses a 0-100 scale to evaluate the backlink profile of a specific URL.

Think of URL rating as a zoomed-in view of authority. You might find a domain with a modest DR of 45, but discover that one particular page has a UR of 75. This happens when that specific page has attracted high-quality backlinks, even if the rest of the site hasn’t.

This distinction matters significantly for link building strategies. When you’re evaluating potential link opportunities, checking the UR of the exact page where your link would appear gives you better intelligence. A link from a page with strong UR typically passes more value than a link from a low-UR page on a high-DR domain.

You can find URL rating prominently displayed in Ahrefs Site Explorer whenever you analyze a specific page. The score updates regularly as the page gains or loses backlinks. Pages with UR above 50 generally indicate strong link equity potential.

Real Search Traffic as Your Best Trust Signal

Ahrefs takes a unique philosophical approach by emphasizing organic traffic as perhaps the most reliable trust indicator available. This perspective makes intuitive sense when you think about it. If Google consistently sends substantial search traffic to a website, that’s direct evidence Google trusts the site.

Third-party metrics attempt to predict authority, but organic traffic metrics show you the actual results. A site receiving 100,000 monthly organic visitors has clearly earned Google’s confidence. No proprietary score can match that validation.

You can access this data through the “Organic search” report in Site Explorer. This report reveals how much traffic a site receives, which keywords drive that traffic, and the estimated value of that traffic. Watching traffic trends over time tells you whether a site’s authority is growing or declining.

The traffic value metric adds another dimension to your analysis. It calculates how much the organic traffic would cost if you had to buy it through paid ads. Sites with high traffic value demonstrate they rank for commercially valuable keywords—another strong trust signal.

When you evaluate potential link partners or competitors, checking their organic traffic gives you real-world context. You’re seeing exactly how Google treats them in actual search results, not just estimating their potential authority.

Evaluating Link Sources by Domain Diversity

Ahrefs emphasizes referring domains over total backlink counts for good reason. The platform recognizes that link diversity matters more than sheer volume. Having 100 links from 100 different domains provides far more value than 1,000 links from just 10 domains.

This approach reflects how search engines actually evaluate links. Google wants to see that multiple independent sources vouch for your content. Ten links from the same domain show limited reach, while ten links from ten domains demonstrate broader recognition.

The referring domains metric appears throughout Ahrefs, but the real insight comes from examining the quality distribution. You need to assess both quantity and quality together. A site with 500 referring domains might seem impressive until you discover that 450 of them have DR below 10.

Ahrefs makes this quality assessment straightforward through the “Referring domains” report. You can filter and sort domains by their DR scores. Look for a healthy mix across the DR spectrum, with a meaningful percentage from domains rated 40 or higher.

The platform also shows you the growth rate of referring domains over time. Steady, natural growth indicates legitimate authority building. Sudden spikes or drops might signal manipulation or link loss that deserves investigation.

These three metrics create a comprehensive toolkit for authority assessment. URL rating gives you page-level precision. Organic traffic provides real-world validation. Referring domains reveal the breadth and quality of link support.

The smartest approach combines all three measurements rather than relying on any single number. Check the UR of specific pages you’re interested in. Verify organic traffic to confirm Google’s actual trust level. Examine referring domains to understand the link profile’s depth and quality.

This multi-metric strategy helps you avoid the limitations of any single measurement. You’ll develop a more accurate and nuanced understanding of site authority that goes well beyond what any single score can tell you.

Practical Strategies for Assessing Topical Authority in Ahrefs

Developing a systematic method for evaluating topical authority transforms Ahrefs from a simple metrics tool into a powerful analysis platform. The secret lies in blending multiple data points and manual techniques to create your own assessment framework. This approach gives you flexibility and depth that single metrics cannot provide.

Unlike Majestic’s ready-made Topical Trust Flow score, Ahrefs requires you to become an active analyst. You’ll examine different signals and weigh their importance based on your specific needs. This hands-on method actually offers advantages because you control what matters most for your projects.

Combining Multiple Ahrefs Metrics

The most effective way to measure topical authority involves layering several SEO authority metrics together. Think of this like assembling puzzle pieces—each metric reveals part of the picture. When combined, they show whether a site truly holds authority in its niche.

Start with Domain Rating as your foundation. This metric tells you the overall link strength of a website. A site with DR 60+ generally has significant link equity, though this alone doesn’t confirm topical relevance.

Next, verify that organic traffic validates the authority. Use Site Explorer to check monthly organic visits. High traffic confirms that Google trusts the domain enough to rank it for numerous keywords. This serves as real-world proof that the site performs well in search results.

Your link quality assessment should examine referring domains carefully. Look beyond the quantity to analyze quality and relevance. Are the linking sites related to the same industry? Do they share topical overlap? Strong sites in your niche linking to a domain indicate genuine topical authority.

Content Explorer becomes invaluable for checking topical consistency. Search for content related to your niche and see if the domain appears repeatedly. Sites that publish extensively on a topic and earn engagement demonstrate subject matter focus.

Finally, dive into backlink context. Click through to actual linking pages and read the surrounding content. Links embedded naturally within relevant articles carry more topical weight than those from unrelated content or footer links.

Here’s how to layer these metrics effectively:

• Baseline check: DR above 40 indicates sufficient link authority to investigate further
• Traffic confirmation: Organic visits should align with DR (high DR with no traffic suggests issues)
• Relevance filter: At least 40-50% of referring domains should relate to your topic
• Content verification: The site should appear consistently in Content Explorer for niche searches
• Context validation: Top backlinks should come from contextually relevant content

This multi-metric approach compensates for what Ahrefs doesn’t measure directly. You’re building a composite score in your mind by weighing different authority signals together.

Manual Evaluation Techniques

Automated metrics only tell half the story. Manual evaluation adds the human intelligence that algorithms miss. This step separates good analysts from those who rely solely on numbers.

Begin by manually reviewing the site’s actual content. Spend 10-15 minutes browsing their blog or resource pages. Ask yourself: Does this site demonstrate genuine expertise? Are articles comprehensive and well-researched? Do they go beyond surface-level information?

Check whether linking domains operate in the same or closely related niches. Open 10-15 referring domains from the backlink report. If you’re analyzing a fitness site, do the links come from other health, nutrition, or wellness sites? Or are they random directories and unrelated blogs?

Evaluate the site’s presence beyond just backlinks. Search for the brand name on social media platforms. Do they have engaged followers discussing their content? Look for mentions in industry publications, podcasts, or forums. Real authority extends beyond links into brand recognition.

Consider content depth indicators that reveal expertise:

• Article length: In-depth guides typically exceed 1,500 words
• Author credentials: Bylines with relevant qualifications or experience
• Citation practices: References to studies, data, or authoritative sources
• Visual quality: Custom images, infographics, or charts showing investment in content
• Update frequency: Regular publication schedule indicates ongoing commitment

Publication frequency matters more than many realize. Sites that consistently produce quality content in their niche build topical authority over time. Check the blog archive to see posting patterns. Monthly or weekly publication schedules suggest serious investment in the topic.

These SEO authority metrics combine with your manual observations to create a complete picture. You’re looking for alignment—do the metrics and your human judgment agree? When quantitative data matches qualitative assessment, you’ve found genuine topical authority.

Creating Your Own Topical Authority Checklist

Building a personalized evaluation system makes your link quality assessment repeatable and consistent. This checklist becomes your standard operating procedure. You’ll make faster, more accurate decisions about which sites demonstrate real topical authority.

Start by listing criteria that matter most for your specific use case. A link prospector focuses on different factors than someone conducting competitive analysis. Your checklist should reflect your unique goals and priorities.

Assign relative weights to different factors based on what you’ve learned works. Maybe organic traffic matters more than Domain Rating for your purposes. Or perhaps topical relevance of referring domains outweighs total referring domain count. Your weighting system should match your objectives.

Document your process so anyone on your team can replicate it. Write down specific thresholds and criteria. This removes subjectivity and ensures consistent evaluation across different analysts or time periods.

Here’s a practical framework you can customize:

This table provides a starting template. Adjust the weights based on what you discover works best. Some industries value content depth more heavily. Others prioritize link profile quality above all else.

Create scoring guidelines for each criterion. For example, under “Topical Relevance of Backlinks,” you might score: 75%+ relevant links = 10 points, 50-75% = 7 points, 25-50% = 4 points, below 25% = 0 points. Add these scores together for a final topical authority rating.

Review and refine your checklist quarterly. As you analyze more sites, you’ll notice patterns. Certain criteria might prove more predictive than others. Your checklist should evolve with your growing expertise and changing industry conditions.

The beauty of this systematic approach is consistency. You’re no longer guessing about topical authority. Instead, you’re applying a tested methodology that produces reliable results. This puts you ahead of competitors who rely on single metrics or gut feelings alone.

Conclusion

Ahrefs doesn’t offer a direct match to Topical Trust Flow. That doesn’t mean you’re left without options. The platform provides powerful alternatives that can reveal even deeper insights about site authority.

Domain Rating stands as your closest single-metric comparison. Content Explorer helps you discover authoritative sites within specific niches. Site Explorer lets you examine backlink quality metrics in detail. Organic traffic numbers validate real-world authority.

The shift from Majestic’s straightforward topical categories requires a different approach. You’ll need to combine multiple data points. This method takes more time upfront. The payoff comes through more nuanced understanding of referring domains and their context.

Start experimenting with the strategies we’ve outlined. Build your own evaluation workflow. Test different metric combinations. Track what works for your specific industry.

Remember that tools serve your expertise. Your interpretation and application matter most. Many SEO professionals maintain subscriptions to both Majestic and Ahrefs. Each platform shines in different scenarios.

You now have the knowledge to assess topical authority using Ahrefs effectively. The metrics exist. The tools are ready. Your success depends on consistent application of these techniques.