We offer three backlink targeting options
DA Targeting, Smart Select™ and Prime Select
All three use Domain Authority (DA), a Moz metric that estimates a site's authority. DA is useful, but it is not Google's metric and it is only one signal alongside relevance, traffic quality, and overall site quality.
When setting up an order, you choose how Rank Engine should target sites for your placements.
DA Targeting
Choose a DA range: DA40+ (websites with a Domain Authority of 40 to 49) or DA50+ (50 to 59). We select suitable websites within that range, considering relevance, traffic quality and editorial fit.
Smart Select
We prioritise relevance, traffic quality, and overall site quality first, with DA as a secondary signal. This approach gives us flexibility to pursue the strongest opportunity available. A Smart Select unit is usually one placement; with strict country-domain targeting it can be two local placements.
Prime Select
Choose Prime Select for established websites. Every website is DA50 and higher, with demonstrable readership, substantive editorial content and a natural fit for your campaign. Authority or traffic alone is not enough.
Any order containing Prime Select has a 30-day delivery timeframe for the whole order.
Which option should I choose?
- Pick DA Targeting if you need a specific authority range for your strategy or reporting.
- Pick Smart Select if you want the best overall opportunities for impact (relevance + traffic + quality).
- Pick Prime Select if you want established websites with demonstrable readership and editorial standards.
Smart Select outcomes
Smart Select is an outcome-based package, not a fixed DA tier.
We select the best available opportunities at your budget and deliver one of these outcomes:
- 1 x placement in the DA50–80 target range: the usual outcome with global targeting. DA80 is a target, not a cap.
- 1 x high-traffic placement: a DA35–49 website with 30,000+ organic users per month, when it offers the stronger overall opportunity.
- 2 x local placements: with strict country-domain targeting we aim for one placement of DA50 or higher. The fallback is two DA20–40 placements on websites meeting the country-domain requirement, included in one Smart Select unit.
See Pricing for the current targeting packages.
Backlink Targeting FAQs
Is a higher DA site always better?
Not always. DA (a Moz metric) is a useful proxy for authority, but it is not Google's metric and it does not capture everything that makes a placement valuable. In practice, relevance, traffic quality, and overall site quality can matter more than DA alone. Smart Select is designed for this reality. It prioritises relevance and quality first, with DA as a secondary signal.
What is the difference between Smart Select and DA Targeting?
Both options include outreach and a published placement. The difference is what we optimise for.
- DA Targeting: you choose a DA range (DA40+ is DA40 to 49; DA50+ is DA50 to 59). Best when a specific DA range matters for your strategy or reporting.
- Smart Select: we prioritise relevance, traffic, and overall quality first, then consider DA. Best when you want the strongest overall opportunity at that budget.
When is Smart Select the best choice?
Choose Smart Select when you want the best overall SEO value rather than a fixed DA bracket. It is ideal when:
- Relevance and traffic quality matter more than a specific DA number
- You want flexibility to take better opportunities slightly above or below a bracket
- You are optimising for long-term performance, not just metrics
When is DA Targeting the best choice?
Choose DA Targeting when you need a set DA range. It is ideal when:
- You must hit a specific DA threshold for reporting or client requirements
- You want every placement inside a set authority range
- You are buying placements to match a defined spec (for example, DA50+ only)
What is Prime Select?
Prime Select means websites of DA50 and higher with demonstrable readership, substantive editorial content and a natural fit for your campaign. Authority or traffic alone is not enough.
Can I mix DA Targeting, Smart Select and Prime Select?
Yes. Many campaigns combine them: DA Targeting for strict authority requirements, Smart Select for the best overall opportunities, and Prime Select for established websites. Any order containing Prime Select has a 30-day delivery timeframe for the whole order.
