If you are trying to make money with AdSense (or other similar programs) then SERPs is what you have to focus on. If you are trying to sell links with Text-Link-Ads (or other similar programs) then PR is what you have to focus on. I make my money with PPC so I voted for SERPs. You have better control over it because it all comes down to your ability to produce good content. With PR, there is a higher risk that Google will not think too much of your links or change their algorithm enough to take a large bite out of your profits.
Good position in SERPs is a good, but very instable factor, while PageRank is rather stable (if you're doing White Hat). However PageRank does not guarantees traffic and good position in SERPs does. Two sides of the coin, so both should be appreciated
Both have their places, PR can provide a bit of cash via selling links whereas SERPs have a more long term use. Despite what most people say, I bet a fair ammount of the members would be just as happy to see their website went to pr7 as they would to see its 1st for its keyword.
results are best, targetted traffic leading to accomplishing whatever the purpose of your site is. Whatever traffic gets you the most business, quality forum members, people reading and bookmarking your blog etc. Whatever gets your website to meet its goal, is what matters the most.
serps is definitely more important than pagerank, but what matters is the keyterms you show up in the serps for.
thank god I got passed up on the 2nd update in a row considering PR is worthless right? hehe being optimistic cups half full.
Sad thing is that when you have a directory, PR is what the submitters are looking for, even though my best directory listings come from low PR pages which have been indexed for a while and get search engine traffic themselves.
Top position for "free porn" will definitely make money. A directory with PR10 will probably make much lesser.
True, I would have to rethink my strategy but that keyword is better than a PR10. But however, I don´t do porn