GLOSSARY TERM
What is Topical Authority?
Definition
The depth and breadth of expertise a site demonstrates in a specific subject area, measured through interlinked content, citation patterns, and entity coverage rather than just backlinks.
Why it Matters for AI Search
Sites with strong topical authority outrank higher-DA generalist sites for queries within their niche. Building topical authority requires comprehensive coverage of a topic cluster, not just one or two strong pages.
Related Terms
Topic ClusterPage Authority (PA)Pillar PageE-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)Domain Authority (DA)Entity SEO
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