I've stated in the past that I think the bid bots are much better than what used to happen. People would come into Discord or steemit.chat, chasing whale votes. Begging and generally doing indignant things to get a vote.
This system seems much less degrading to the individuals seeking support. It is a clean commercial transaction. The influencer gets a reward. The content creator doesn't have to beg for favors.
Will they always be a part of Steem? I don't know. Times change. Old strategies become ineffective. I expect that in a year from now, we will see new dynamics on the platform.
Honestly, I still feel mostly the same way about them and I hope that last sentence of yours is true.