We offer two backlink targeting strategies
DA Targeting and Smart Select™
Both use Domain Authority (DA), a Moz metric that estimates a site's authority. DA is useful, but it is not Google's metric and it is only one signal alongside relevance, traffic quality, and overall site quality.
When setting up an order, you choose how Rank Engine should target sites for your placements.
DA Targeting
Choose a guaranteed minimum DA tier: DA40+, DA50+ or DA60+. We select suitable publishers meeting that threshold, considering relevance, traffic quality and editorial fit.
Smart Select
We prioritise relevance, traffic quality, and overall site quality first, with DA as a secondary signal. This approach gives us flexibility to pursue the strongest opportunities available, which may result in one premium placement or two strong placements, depending on what offers the best value for your campaign.
Which option should I choose?
- Pick DA Targeting if you need a specific minimum authority tier for your strategy or reporting.
- Pick Smart Select if you want the best overall opportunities for impact (relevance + traffic + quality).
Smart Select outcomes
Smart Select is an outcome-based package, not a fixed DA tier.
We select the best available opportunities at your budget and deliver one of these outcomes:
- 1 x high-authority DA60+ placement: a relevant, high-authority placement on a DA60+ site when a strong opportunity is available.
- 1 x high-authority DA50+ placement: a relevant placement on a DA50 to 59 site. This is the baseline Smart Select outcome.
- 1 x high-traffic authority placement: a placement on a site with unusually high traffic for its DA range, where traffic and relevance make it a stronger opportunity than a higher-DA site.
- 2 x high-quality placements: two relevant local DA20–40 placements for some strict country-domain campaigns, when a forced single match would be weaker.
See Pricing for the current targeting packages.
Backlink Targeting FAQs
Is a higher DA site always better?
Not always. DA (a Moz metric) is a useful proxy for authority, but it is not Google's metric and it does not capture everything that makes a placement valuable. In practice, relevance, traffic quality, and overall site quality can matter more than DA alone. Smart Select is designed for this reality. It prioritises relevance and quality first, with DA as a secondary signal.
What is the difference between Smart Select and DA Targeting?
Both options include outreach and a published placement. The difference is what we optimise for.
- DA Targeting: you choose a minimum DA tier (DA40+, DA50+, DA60+). Best when DA thresholds matter for your strategy or reporting.
- Smart Select: we prioritise relevance, traffic, and overall quality first, then consider DA. Best when you want the strongest overall opportunity at that budget.
When is Smart Select the best choice?
Choose Smart Select when you want the best overall SEO value rather than a fixed DA bracket. It is ideal when:
- Relevance and traffic quality matter more than a specific DA number
- You want flexibility to take better opportunities slightly above or below a bracket
- You are optimising for long-term performance, not just metrics
When is DA Targeting the best choice?
Choose DA Targeting when you need guaranteed DA minimums. It is ideal when:
- You must hit a specific DA threshold for reporting or client requirements
- You want a guaranteed minimum authority tier of placements
- You are buying placements to match a defined spec (for example, DA60+ only)
Can I mix Smart Select and DA Targeting?
Yes. Many campaigns combine both: DA Targeting for strict authority requirements, and Smart Select for the best overall opportunities.
