Authority Domain

In the context of search engines, particularly Google, an authority domain is generally one with a huge website, is popular with visitors, has lots of inbound links, its content is frequently re-indexed, and is generally considered an authority on its subject.

While no one in the webmaster world knows exactly how or at what stage a domain or website acquires authority, these domains, and the content and links published therein, are given special credence in the ranking algorithm. It has been noticed that, for example, an article published in the website of such a domain will generally start ranking for its keywords relatively very fast compared to something similar published in a non-authority domain. So it comes to what matters is where the content or link is published rather than what it is.

To identify an authority domain one can type the domain name in the search box, usually without the extension but at times with, or the site name or the company name if it is prominently stated on the website. The listing for an authority domain appears on the top in a specially highlighted manner with sub-domains or internal pages too listed just below the main entry and, of course, the ubiquitous link: More results from [URL].

Some specific examples of authority domains:

(a) Wikipedia: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wikipedia&btnG=Search

(b) Indian Government: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=national+portal+of+india&btnG=Search

(c) Bartleby.com: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bartleby&btnG=Search

(d) Open Directory: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=dmoz

(e) W3Schools: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=w3schools&btnG=Search

There are thousands of authority domains and websites out there in almost every domain extension with subject matters as diverse as education, web directories, forums, environment, politics, health, entertainment, culture etc. etc.

It is generally accepted that a link to your own site from one of the authority domain websites will have more link weight in improving your search engine ranking and contributing to your own domain or website acquiring authority status. Thus the effort to identify and create this database to help searchers find authoritative content and webmasters to promote their websites.