Ahrefs DR3 and DR4 assign numbers on the same 0–100 scale, but those numbers are not interchangeable. The release of DR4 on November 5, 2026 changed the method used to measure backlink strength. Consequently, a website can show very different scores even if it did nothing to its content or links.
This guide compares the two models, explains where the differences come from, and shows how to report them accurately. If you are new to the update, start with Ahrefs DR4 explained.
DR3 vs DR4 at a glance
| Question | DR3 | DR4 |
|---|---|---|
| What does it measure? | Relative backlink-profile strength | Relative backlink-profile strength |
| Scale | Logarithmic 0–100 | Logarithmic 0–100 |
| Links from websites with organic search traffic | Not weighted in the newly announced way | Greater weight |
| Most subdomains | Often inherited root-domain DR | Receive distinct host-level scores |
| Pool of rated websites | Larger | Approximately half as many sites |
| Spam-labeled sites | Some retained relatively high scores | Many see significant reductions |
| Main Ahrefs UI as of November 6, 2026 | Current model | Scheduled for December 1 |
The important phrase is different methodology, not necessarily better or worse website.
How link weighting changed
Imagine two referring domains. One is an editorial publication that consistently gets search traffic. The other has a large number of backlinks but little visible search demand. Under DR4, the first source is more likely to have greater influence because Ahrefs more heavily weights links from sites estimated to receive organic search traffic.
That example illustrates the concept, not a published numerical formula. Ahrefs has not provided an equation that lets website owners convert every DR3 score into a DR4 score. There is no trustworthy shortcut such as “subtract 15 points.”
Also remember that a link's potential usefulness extends beyond DR. Relevant referral traffic, genuine readers, brand mentions, and prospects can have value even when a third-party score is modest.
Why subdomain scores can differ dramatically
A website hosted on a popular platform once benefited from how its host's root domain was treated. DR4 aims to score the individual subdomain's backlinks independently. Ahrefs illustrated this with several well-known subdomains and examples on site-builder domains.
The practical implication is straightforward: if your site lives at yourbrand.platform.com, compare that exact hostname, not only platform.com. A subdomain's DR4 is not an endorsement or criticism of the platform hosting it. The DR4 subdomain guide covers blogs, help centers and hosted projects in detail.
What Ahrefs' ranking-correlation study found
Ahrefs compared DR3 and DR4 across 10 million hosts. In its reported sample, the correlation between DR and the number of top-10 Google rankings was:
| Tested group | DR3 | DR4 |
|---|---|---|
| All hosts | 0.140 | 0.359 |
| Root domains | 0.407 | 0.304 |
| Subdomains | 0.172 | 0.259 |
This matters because the headline “DR4 correlates more strongly with rankings” needs context. DR4 did better for the combined population and for subdomains; DR3 did better for root domains alone. Neither metric is a Google ranking factor, and neither score promises future search performance. Our analysis of the DR4 ranking correlation explains what the study can and cannot show.
How to compare your own scores
Step 1: Use the same target
Check example.com under both models. Do not compare www.example.com in one model with blog.example.com in another.
Step 2: Record both model labels
An illustrative report might read: DR3: 48 | DR4: 29 | Difference: -19. These are example numbers, not data for a real website.
Step 3: Compare peers, not just the gap
If several similar sites have large declines, the explanation may be a model-wide reweighting. If only one site changes sharply, inspect its backlink profile more closely without immediately assuming wrongdoing; the DR4 drop diagnosis guide sets out the checks.
Step 4: Preserve historical context
Save DR3 and DR4 separately. When DR4 becomes the default, mark the model change on any chart instead of presenting it as a sudden lost-link event.
Try the IndieTools Domain Rating checker, which shows DR3, DR4 and the difference from a single search, to begin your comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is DR4 always more accurate than DR3?
No single model outperformed the other in every slice of Ahrefs' published study. Different samples produced different correlations.
Can I convert DR3 into DR4 with a formula?
No reliable universal conversion formula has been published. Check the same target under each model.
When should dashboards switch to DR4?
Plan for Ahrefs' announced December 1, 2026 rollout and keep model labels explicit throughout the transition.
Sources and further reading
- Ahrefs DR4 announcement and research table
- Ahrefs Domain Rating API version parameter
- Ahrefs Help: What is Domain Rating?
Last fact-checked: November 6, 2026.
