JS_Harris - 7:43 am on Nov 1, 2007 (gmt 0)

Matt Cutts says

Our organic search results have always been completely independent from our paid advertisements. We consider the objectivity of our search results to be paramount to our success and would never compromise that in any way. The screenshot shows a tool that is not used by the search quality team in any way. It is a tool used by members of our AdWords sales team to help prioritize new customer acquisition. We are strongly committed to maintaining the integrity of our organic search results.

Fair enough, except for one thing. Those dollar figures show up next to existing customers, not just possible new customers, and I'm not aware of Google approaching ANYONE directly to start up with adwords so having a "GG" score on potential new customers makes no sense. OK, thats two things.

The most likely other scenario in my opinion, if Matt isn't being 100% honest which i'm not suggesting here, is that it is an estimate of what it will cost per unit (1000 clicks) through adwords.

Is the site an adwords customer? yes. What sector? recreation. What's our take be from this guy per 1000? (his minimum bid - adsense payout %)x1000

This is just personal experience but when I gather data on stuff, I gather it and focus on what benefits ME, not what benefits someone else.