Hi ... backlinks and not much else creates PR. There are lots of backlink services offered on DP. Spend a $100, wisely, and you'll get a PR3 or PR4 next update; maybe much higher. You must also consider that the PR is good public relations, but won't do much for uniques. As with Alexa, the PR impresses the marks and gives those who might buy a link, ad or site a basis for comparison among options. Good luck.
PR and quality backlinks increase PR. For example if you get a link from a PR10 website, and there are very few outbound links appearing on the webpage, you will gain a lot of PR juice from this link (a PR10 would gain you instant PR but it's just an example). However the same can be acheived with lots of quality backlinks from quality websites alike. But please, take my advice - don't worry about PR, PR will organically accumulate.
I had around 2000 when I hit PR2. I now have 6000+ but I doubt that I will get a PR 6 from it. If I'm lucky I will still be a PR2 or 3.
Backlinks influences PR the most. Generally the more quality ones will add more to PR. (*But most people would link to you if you have quality content.)
Quality backlink and also the age of the domain both affect the PR. The higher the PR from the backlinks, the better the chance that yours will increase. The number of backlinks depends on the quality. You can get a PR4 with 200 links if you have some quality ones. The more important thing is to look for quality related links, they will bring you traffic and make you money better than raising PR.
Hi ... you're getting lots of good advice and insight. Link relevancy is important, but I found a base of about 2000 PR0+ sites got Grub Street a 4. Now, we concentrate on higher quality and more relevant links, in hopes of a 6, next update. Age of site, yours and links to you, seems important, too. A lot of new-b sites help less than those a year old and much less than those 3+ years old. If you do a search, you'll come across a table that suggests something like 10 PR5s get you a PR4; 10 PR6s get you a PR5 and so forth. Bottom line, though, seem PR helps your SERPs, but at lot of these visitors hit and run, with time on site at 1 second. If you can sell or tease 'em into staying in that brief moment, good for you, PR works. Not many can do it. Good luck.
Your PR will probably get a high PR if you'll prioritize one-way quality/related links because PR is more on the quality not quantity.
To completely forgot about PR. Seriously. Just be concerned about building a quality website, related links and focus on traffic. If this is your main worry and priorty you would be surprised what the Google Gods would give you for PR. Take PR with a grain of salt and find ways to earn money via your product and affiliate/ppc programs.
I'm sure I've only a handful of backlinks but I'm PR2. Most people say you need at least 1000 for that. I'd like to know what's took it up - nothing intentional. I've also got top spot on google for my major key word and can't see how I've done that either. I hate not knowing
PR is calculated through quality backlinks. Maybe content is one factor of it but the most who increases PR is the backlinks.
Backlinks... But like Wealdie said it's a waste of time. Create good content and you will get good visitors. Do it for the people not the search engines.