They are now the top result for [encrypted email]. That seems to say that google does indeed think they are more than just a random provider. Assuming the blog

They are now the top result for [encrypted email]. That seems to say that google does indeed think they are more than just a random provider. Assuming the blog isn't blatantly lying about their position being lower just recently, it's proven that google did penalize them for a while. As to the reasons, I tend to assume bugs or coincidences. I just can't see Google doing something like that on purpose, when they'd gain a minor edge in the webmail business at a huge risk to their reputation, a smoking gun for all those regulators poised to hit them with charges of anticompetitive behavior at the first opportunity.