I have often tried getting PR on domains by just doing directory submissions and most of the times I have been successful (failed on one of the domains in last update). If you want to 'rank' for any decent traffic keyword you will have to do more than just directory submissions.
Directories Are not gonna help you to improve your SERP or pr , maybe if you get lucky you can get some back links at google but they are not gonna help you A lot
Just few directories posts dofollow links, but your site will appear on pages with PR0 or unranked, and this is irrelevant for search engines.
only directory submission is not going to help to bring traffic. some one need to do more things to get traffic. getting PR is ok with directory.
You can get to PR3 with only free general web directories. They'll boost you a bit in the SERPs. I've found that niche directories however can really boost your site in the SERPs. Spend some time looking for web directories in your niche that get some Google traffic and you'll really benefit from a link from them.
^^ I agree with what pipes says. I'd also like to add that the directories you submit to need to be high-quality. If they accept spammy links, G and other search engines will see them as such.
Yes, directory links does help in ranking your site, but you cannot ignore the other factors along with it such as forum posting, social bookmarking, blog comments. All these techniques combined together will give you fruitful result in search engine, not directory submission alone.
Well for others i cant say but it worked for me in my first Google PR update. i had submitted to over 1500 directories and a backlink from a PR5 site, my site went to PR3 from PR0.
yep, it can be useful. Depends on finding good directories. If I'm all out of ideas for the day in terms of other SEO, I'll just sit and submit to directories.
jitendraag is correct. Directory submissions do help and are an important part of gaining exposure to your site. In addition to this Google has provided all the info needed. If you want top ranks, then be prepared to become an authority in your niche. Google is very good at dispalying authority sites on page one listings. So be prepared to go the extra mile to gain the authority that visitors (and google) wants.