Question 1

What is Ahrefs DR4?

Accepted Answer

DR4 is the fourth version of Ahrefs' Domain Rating algorithm, released in 2026. Like previous versions, it scores a domain's backlink profile strength from 0 to 100, but it changes how the score is computed and distributed across sites in Ahrefs' link index.

Question 2

What is the difference between DR3 and DR4?

Accepted Answer

The biggest change in DR4 is that subdomains no longer inherit their root domain's rating — each subdomain gets its own independent score. For example, under DR3 a popular subdomain like help.example.com displayed the same DR as example.com, while under DR4 it is rated on its own backlink profile. DR4 also rebalances how link strength flows between sites, so most domains see a small change (usually within a few points).

Question 3

Why did my DR drop with DR4?

Accepted Answer

The most common reason is the subdomain change: if your site lives on a subdomain (or has popular subdomains), it no longer borrows authority from the root domain. Other causes include DR4's rebalanced link-graph distribution — since DR is relative to every other site in the index, algorithm changes shift scores across the board without your backlinks changing at all.

Question 4

Which DR version should I use?

Accepted Answer

Use DR4 going forward — it is the version Ahrefs shows in its own tools, and independent subdomain ratings make competitor comparisons fairer. Keep DR3 in mind when comparing against historical data, old link-building reports, or third-party directories that haven't migrated yet. This tool shows both side by side so you can track the difference.

Question 5

Is this DR3 vs DR4 comparison free and accurate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely free with no signup required. It calls Ahrefs' official free Domain Rating API for both algorithm versions, so the numbers match what Ahrefs itself reports.

Site type	Typical DR4 effect	Why
Root domains	Small change (±1–3)	Rebalanced link-graph distribution only
Subdomains	Often a large drop	No longer inherit the root domain's rating
New / small sites	Usually unchanged	Few backlinks to redistribute either way

DR3 vs DR4: Compare Ahrefs Domain Ratings

What changed in the DR4 update?

Who is most affected by DR4?

Frequently Asked Questions