How to Increase Domain Rating: 12 Methods That Work for a New SaaS
To increase Domain Rating, earn followed links from more unique, reputable websites. For a new SaaS the fastest reliable path is reputable directory and launch listings, then integration and partner pages, guest posts and podcast mentions, free tools and original data that people cite, and turning unlinked brand mentions into links. Avoid buying link packages. Track referring domains monthly, because DR moves slowly and is relative to every other site.
Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs' 0 to 100 measure of a site's backlink strength. It is not a Google ranking factor, but it reflects the kind of link profile that helps pages rank, which is why founders watch it. If you are new to the metric, start with what is Domain Rating.
This guide lists 12 methods that genuinely increase DR for a new SaaS, ordered from quickest to slowest, with an honest note on effort and payoff for each.
How DR grows (the one thing to understand)
DR rises when more unique websites link to you with followed links, and when those websites are themselves strong. Ten links from one site barely help; one link each from ten different reputable sites helps a lot. And because DR is relative and logarithmic, going from 0 to 20 is far easier than going from 50 to 60.
So every method below is really a way to earn one followed link from one more reputable, relevant domain.
The 12 methods
1. Reputable launch boards and directories
Effort: low. Speed: days to weeks. Payoff: moderate early, then flat.
Permanent, followed listings give a new domain its first referring domains. Prioritise curated, indexed, relevant sites. Many launch platforms offer a free followed link if you show their badge. See free SaaS directories for backlinks and free Product Hunt alternatives with dofollow links.
2. Integration and partner pages
Effort: low to medium. Speed: weeks. Payoff: high relevance.
If your product integrates with Stripe, Slack, Notion, Zapier or any tool with a marketplace, apply for a listing. These pages are usually followed, relevant and on strong domains.
3. Free tools people link to
Effort: medium. Speed: months. Payoff: compounding.
A free calculator, checker, generator or template related to your product attracts links from blogs, communities and resource pages. It is one of the most reliable link-earning assets for small teams.
4. Original data and small studies
Effort: medium. Speed: months. Payoff: high when picked up.
Publish something only you can: anonymised usage data, a survey of your users, an analysis of public data in your niche. Journalists and bloggers link to numbers.
5. Guest posts on relevant blogs
Effort: medium to high. Speed: weeks. Payoff: moderate, high relevance.
Write genuinely useful articles for blogs your buyers read, with a natural link to your site. Skip sites that sell guest posts openly; those links are often worthless or risky.
6. Podcast and newsletter appearances
Effort: medium. Speed: weeks. Payoff: links plus audience.
Founder podcasts usually link to guests in show notes. Pitch a specific story about the problem you solve, not your product.
7. "Best tools for X" roundups
Effort: low to medium. Speed: weeks. Payoff: links plus buyers.
Search for roundups in your category and politely ask the author to consider your product, with a one-line reason it fits. Update requests to recently refreshed articles work best.
8. Unlinked brand mentions
Effort: low. Speed: days. Payoff: small but easy.
Search for your product name in quotes. When a page mentions you without a link, ask the author to add one. Most say yes.
9. Comparison and alternative pages that earn citations
Effort: medium. Speed: months. Payoff: links plus traffic.
Honest, well-structured comparison pages get cited by others researching the same choice. Include tables, dates and sources.
10. Communities and Q&A, done properly
Effort: ongoing. Speed: slow. Payoff: mostly traffic, some links.
Helpful answers in forums and communities rarely give followed links directly, but they lead to mentions and links elsewhere.
11. Open source and GitHub presence
Effort: medium. Speed: varies. Payoff: strong for developer tools.
An open-source library, SDK or example repo earns links from READMEs, documentation and "awesome" lists.
12. Digital PR and launch stories
Effort: high. Speed: varies. Payoff: potentially large.
A genuinely interesting story, such as a surprising result, an unusual founder journey or a useful free resource, can earn links from news sites and large blogs. Rare, but powerful.
A 90-day plan
| Days | Focus | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 30 | 20 to 30 reputable directory and launch listings; integration pages | 20+ referring domains |
| 31 to 60 | One free tool or data piece; 3 guest posts or podcasts; unlinked mentions | +10 to 15 quality domains |
| 61 to 90 | Roundup outreach; comparison pages; promote the free tool | +10 quality domains |
Results vary with niche and effort, but a focused founder can usually take a new domain from DR 0 into the teens or twenties in a few months.
Which methods suit which product
| Product type | Strongest early methods |
|---|---|
| Developer tool or API | Open source repos, documentation links, GitHub awesome lists, Dev Hunt and Show HN |
| B2B SaaS | Integration marketplaces, review sites, roundups, guest posts on industry blogs |
| AI tool | Curated AI directories, comparison pages, a free mini tool, roundups |
| Consumer app | App directories, product reviews, launch boards, press for a surprising story |
| No-code or template product | Template galleries, community showcases, maker directories |
Pick the two or three methods that fit your product and do them well, rather than all twelve badly.
A real example of honest progress
IndieDaddy itself was DR 8 in early November 2026, according to Ahrefs, a few weeks after going live. The early referring domains came mostly from launch platforms and directories where we listed ourselves, which is exactly the foundation layer described above. The next layers for us are the same as for any SaaS: useful free tools, guides like this one, and mentions from sites our audience reads. We will keep the number honest as it moves.
What not to do
| Tactic | Why to avoid |
|---|---|
| Buying cheap link packages | Often link farms; Google may ignore or penalise |
| Private blog networks | Against Google's spam policies |
| Site-wide link exchanges | Unnatural and risky |
| Hidden links | Can be treated as manipulation |
| Spamming comments and forums | Nofollow anyway, and harms your reputation |
Remember DR is a third-party metric. A link scheme can inflate it while hurting your real rankings.
How to track progress
- Referring domains in a backlink tool, monthly. This is the number behind DR.
- DR itself, monthly, ignoring small ups and downs.
- Organic traffic and rankings in Google Search Console, because that is the real goal.
- IndieDaddy DR alerts: if your product is live on IndieDaddy, we check your website's DR weekly and email you when it reaches a new all-time high.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I increase my Domain Rating?
New sites can often move from 0 to the teens within a few months through reputable listings and early mentions. Higher levels take longer and require links from strong, relevant sites.
What is the fastest way to increase DR?
Reputable directory and launch listings with followed links, plus integration and partner pages. These are quick to get and give a new domain its first referring domains.
Does increasing DR improve Google rankings?
Not directly, because Google does not use DR. But the links that increase DR, especially relevant ones, also help Google trust and rank your pages.
Can DR go down?
Yes. DR is relative, so it can drop when other sites grow faster or when links to you are removed or changed to nofollow.
Is buying backlinks worth it?
Generally no. Most cheap backlinks come from low-quality networks. Paid placements should use the sponsored attribute, which means they will not pass ranking credit anyway.