Originally Posted by cyco_cc

So what? PR is one factor when determining ranking in the SERPs--there are many others. PR is merely a numeric representation of the quality of incoming links. Google has always based the authority of a site on the number of quality links pointing to it. Higher authority = Higher rankings. And this makes sense, right? If you deny this, then how does Google deem a site authoritative? By magic?

Think about it this way, say the Toolbar PR was removed, Page Rank STILL exists. Instead of a user buying a PR3+ link on some site in his niche posted on some forum, he simply looks at the page 1 SERPs for keywords he wants to target and contacts those sites to buy/trade links. This is the EXACT same thing. A site that ranks high is authoritative. It is authoritative based on many factors, but one important factor is quality of incoming links. If said site links to another site, that site also gains authority, or page rank, or whatever the fuck you want to call it.

To say it doesn't mean dick shows a lack of understanding of basic mathematics and Search Engine principles.