Domain Rating (DR) Calculator

This calculator provides an approximation based on real DR growth data we've collected from hundreds of SaaS directory submissions. While actual results may vary depending on your site's existing backlink profile and other factors, the estimates are calibrated to match typical outcomes: ~10 DR points for 60 DoFollow submissions, ~15 for 100, and ~20+ for 140+ DoFollow submissions starting from DR 0.

DoFollow backlinks tell search engines to follow the link and pass link equity (ranking power) to your website, directly boosting your Domain Rating. NoFollow backlinks include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to pass link equity. NoFollow links do not increase your DR, but they still provide value through referral traffic and contribute to a natural-looking backlink profile.

After submitting to directories, it typically takes 2 to 8 weeks for Ahrefs to crawl the new backlinks and update your Domain Rating. Some high-authority directories get crawled faster. The more directories you submit to simultaneously, the more likely you'll see a noticeable DR increase in the next Ahrefs update cycle.

Submitting to legitimate, curated directories is a safe and accepted SEO strategy. All directories in our database are manually vetted. Unlike spammy link building tactics, directory submissions from real software listing platforms are considered natural backlinks by search engines. Google recognizes directory listings as a legitimate way for businesses to build online presence.

Domain Rating uses a logarithmic scale, similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes. Each point becomes exponentially harder to achieve. Going from DR 0 to DR 20 might require 100 referring domains, but going from DR 60 to DR 80 could require thousands. This is why directory submissions are most impactful for new websites with low DR. The ROI is highest when starting from scratch.