Debug: DB lookup batches (click to expand)
| Domain | Spam Score |
Risk |
|---|
How it works
The Spam Score Checker looks up each domain in our copy of Moz's Spam Score data, which we refresh every month. Nothing is crawled live, and you do not need an API key. Each row shows the domain's Spam Score (0 to 100) and a short risk label in plain English.
What makes a score go up. Moz counts about 27 spam signals on a domain and in the links pointing to it. The more signals it finds, the higher the score. A high score is a warning to look closer, not a Google penalty (see the FAQ below).
Single mode checks one domain right away. Bulk mode checks up to 100 domains at a time on your plan. Bulk results can be sorted and filtered, so the riskiest domains rise to the top.
Which version of your domain we check. Enter example.com and we look up both example.com and www.example.com. We show the version with the higher Domain Authority. We pick by authority, not by Spam Score, so a problem on the busier version is never hidden.
Known limitations.
- A monthly snapshot, not live data. Each score comes from Moz's latest crawl. New links or a recent disavow will not show until the next refresh.
- Some domains have no data. Very new sites, sites with little traffic, and sites with no inbound links may not be in Moz's index yet. Those rows say no data.
- It is Moz's estimate, not Google's verdict. Treat it as one signal in your review, not as proof of a penalty.
What the columns mean
- Domain
- The version of the domain we checked, with or without www. We show whichever has the higher Domain Authority.
- Spam Score
- Moz's 0 to 100 count of spam signals. Three color badges:
Good (0-30): few signals. Most healthy sites sit here.
Medium (31-60): some signals. Take a closer look.
Bad (61-100): many signals. Avoid as a link source. - Risk explanation
- A short label that matches the badge ("Low / Medium / High risk, N spam signals"), so each row reads at a glance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Moz Spam Score?
Moz's Spam Score is a rating from 0 to 100. It counts how many spam signals a domain shows. Moz tracks about 27 signals, such as a low trust score, links from only a few sources, unnatural anchor text (the clickable words in a link), an odd mix of followed and nofollowed links, and risky domain endings. More signals mean a higher score. It is Moz's own estimate, not a Google penalty. Use it to triage a backlink list, or to vet a site before you ask it for a link.
What is a good spam score for a website?
Most SEOs use three bands:
- 0-30, low risk. Most healthy, established sites sit here. No action needed.
- 31-60, medium risk. Some spam signals. Look closer if the site links to you, or if you plan to guest post there.
- 61-100, high risk. Many spam signals. Avoid getting links from these domains. If they already link to you, consider a disavow.
The score is a guide, not a hard line. A 35 on an established site with real traffic and relevant content can be fine. A 25 on a brand-new site with no traffic deserves a second look.
How do I check the spam score of a website?
Type the domain, such as example.com, in the box above and click Check. You get the Spam Score and a short risk label. To check a list of backlink sources or outreach targets, switch to bulk mode and paste them all at once. Then sort by Spam Score, highest first, to see the riskiest domains at the top.
How do I reduce my domain's spam score?
You cannot lower the score directly, because Moz computes it from your domain and the links pointing to it. You can fix the signals behind it:
- Audit your backlinks with the Backlink Checker. Find links from high Spam Score domains. If they form a clear pattern, disavow them in Google Search Console.
- Get links from more sites. A healthy profile has links from many independent domains, not the same few over and over.
- Vary your anchor text. Anchor text is the clickable words in a link. Do not let most of your links use the same money keyword. Natural links mix your brand name, plain phrases like "click here", and varied keywords.
- Build real authority. Higher Domain Authority, real traffic, and useful content all lower Spam Score over time.
Changes show up after Moz's next refresh, roughly once a month.
Is Spam Score the same as a Google penalty?
No. Spam Score is Moz's estimate of how spammy a domain looks from the outside. It has no link to Google's ranking systems or manual actions. Google runs its own spam detection, and nobody outside Google can see it. A high Moz score does not mean Google has penalized the site. A low score does not mean the site is safe. Use it as one input in your review, not as proof of anything Google has done.
Should I disavow backlinks from high spam score domains?
Not by default. Google says it now ignores most spam links on its own, so you need to disavow less often than before. Disavow with care:
- Do disavow when you see a clear pattern: paid links, a link network, or a sudden burst of low-quality links you did not earn.
- Skip one-off links from random high Spam Score sites, especially when the rest of your profile is healthy. Google most likely ignores them already.
- Look before you act. A niche directory with a score of 65 that has linked to you for years and sends real visitors is one thing. A private blog network (PBN) with a score of 65 that appeared last week is another.
Why does the Spam Score Checker show "no data" for my domain?
Every score comes from Moz's dataset. Very new domains, domains with little traffic, and domains with no inbound links may not be in it yet, so we show a "no data" row. This is most common for sites under a few months old, small personal blogs, and subdomains that nothing links to. Check again in 30 to 60 days. Once Moz's crawler finds the site, a real score will appear.
How often is the spam score updated?
Moz refreshes its index about once a month, and we copy the new data after each refresh. So any change you make, such as cleaning up bad links, earning good ones, or building authority, shows up on the next refresh. Expect to wait 4 to 8 weeks to see your Spam Score move.