Want to know your new Ahrefs Domain Rating before the December 1, 2026 rollout? You do not need to guess. Ahrefs has made DR4 accessible through its free Domain Rating API, and comparison tools can show DR3 and DR4 side by side.
The most important rule is to compare the same domain or subdomain under both versions and identify which model produced each score.
What is a DR4 checker?
A DR4 checker asks Ahrefs for the current backlink-strength score calculated by its fourth Domain Rating model. The result uses the familiar logarithmic 0–100 scale, but DR4 weights referring websites differently and scores subdomains individually. It is not a measure of website traffic, conversion rate, or Google rankings.
Because DR4 is new, be careful with tools that label a generic “DR” value without stating whether it is DR3 or DR4. Ahrefs' free API defaults to dr3 unless a different version is requested explicitly.
Method 1: Use a public DR checker
- Open the IndieTools Domain Rating checker.
- Enter a public domain such as
example.com, without passwords or private URLs. - Run the check and read the model label, data source, and measurement time shown in the result.
- Compare the DR3 and DR4 readings side by side: the checker requests both models in one search and shows the change between them.
- Save or export the result, including the timestamp, for future comparison.
An example output could be DR3 42 → DR4 27 (−15). This is an illustration, not a live score for any website. The difference describes the models; it is not a count of links gained or lost.
Method 2: Query Ahrefs' free API
Ahrefs provides a free endpoint at https://api.ahrefs.com/v3/public/domain-rating-free. Ahrefs documents these requests as free, although each one still needs an APIv3 key.
For a single domain, request target=example.com&version=dr4 with an API key supplied in the Authorization: Bearer header. Repeat with version=dr3 for the older model.
For several domains, the POST API accepts a JSON body:
{
"targets": ["example.com", "example.org"],
"version": "dr4"
}
The POST body accepts up to 1,000 targets but a single version value. Therefore, a user-facing single-click comparison usually requires two backend requests—one for DR3 and one for DR4. Keep your API key on the server; never expose it in client-side JavaScript. If you are building this into a dashboard, the DR4 migration checklist covers caching, labels and exports.
How to interpret the result
Read three things together:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DR3 | Score under the previous Ahrefs model |
| DR4 | Score under the new Ahrefs model |
| Difference | DR4 minus DR3, not links lost |
Always retain the exact hostname and measurement time. DR is relative, so a score can change when Ahrefs' index or the wider backlink landscape changes. If the provider supplies no rating, show “Unavailable” instead of silently substituting zero. A returned numeric zero is a valid result and should not be confused with missing data. The DR3 vs DR4 comparison explains why the difference reflects two methodologies.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
Confusing the root domain with a subdomain
Under DR4, blog.example.com can have a distinct score from example.com. Make sure you entered the intended host; DR4 subdomain ratings explains the change.
Assuming a drop means a Google problem
DR is not a Google ranking factor. A score change alone cannot diagnose lost traffic or a penalty. Cross-check performance using Search Console.
Comparing readings without dates
Add a measurement time and model label to reports. A November DR3 value is not directly comparable to a December DR4 value as a continuous time series.
Ignoring attribution and usage terms
Ahrefs permits DR data to be displayed in products subject to license terms, including a visible linked “Domain Rating by Ahrefs” attribution. The license also restricts using the data to build products that compete with Ahrefs. Review it before launching a public data product.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ahrefs DR4 API free?
According to Ahrefs' November 2026 documentation, requests to the public Domain Rating endpoint are free but require an APIv3 key.
Can I check multiple sites at once?
Yes. Ahrefs documents a bulk POST request supporting up to 1,000 targets for one model version per request.
When will DR4 appear in the main Ahrefs interface?
Ahrefs announced December 1, 2026 as the planned date.
Sources and further reading
- Ahrefs: GET free Domain Rating endpoint
- Ahrefs: POST free Domain Rating endpoint
- Ahrefs: Domain Rating license
- Ahrefs: DR4 announcement
Last fact-checked: November 6, 2026.
