The Mystery of the Dropped DR

Hi Everyone,

I’m working with a client who recently started a YMYL website a few months ago. Everything was progressing smoothly until a few days ago when they noticed a drop in their DR, even though all other metrics have been on the rise.

However, Semrush tells a different story. According to their analysis, the DA has actually increased from 12 to 14.

Does anyone have any insights into what might be causing this?

Additional Information:

  • No backlinks or guest posts were purchased on any websites. The backlinks are solely from directory sites related to the niche and profile links, all with a 0% Spam Score.
  • There have been no modifications to the content or the website.
  • Semrush indicates there are 0 suspicious links, and the toxicity score is 0.

It’s puzzling to see a drop in Domain Rating while other metrics are improving. Here are some potential reasons:

  1. Domain Authority (DA) vs. DR: DA might be increasing due to other factors, but DR is calculated differently and can be influenced by various elements, such as link quality and quantity.
  2. Link Profile Changes: While you haven’t purchased backlinks, subtle changes in your link profile could be affecting DR. Check for any new links, especially from low-quality or spammy sites, as they can negatively impact DR.
  3. Algorithm Updates: Google might have rolled out an algorithm update that’s particularly sensitive to your website’s specific factors. Keep an eye on Google’s search quality updates to see if any might correlate with the DR drop.
  4. Data Fluctuations: Sometimes, SEO tools can experience temporary data fluctuations, leading to inaccurate readings. Try checking DR on other tools to see if the trend is consistent.