My first guess is that they didn't sort links at all. Sorting by alphabet seems not to be considered so in the eyes of SEs. SEs don't see any relevancy among links. So it's very possible that G took it as a link farm. For example, category A has all sorts of links on it. It looks like pretty much a link farm. This is the reason I didn't want to release my bid directory until I get an update for phplb. But I siwtched to a niche directory later on.
Yes, I have noticed Not much, but every dollar helps. Thank you to those who have submitted, keep it coming!