I think bots have the potential to make or break Steemit... Some bots can be useful, such as the OriginalWorks bot (which has been down for awhile), but most seem to be just a way of fleecing people of the SBD they haven't earned yet - or a way of helping the rich get richer. They don't seem to offer much for the minnow, for sure.

One of Steemit competitors took the step of not allowing any bots (or competitions/financial rewards other than post payouts) - and in a way, I'm glad that Steemit hasn't followed that model. But, it does seem to be that some regulation of bots is in order here. Free bots should be encouraged. Paid ones should be required to prove that they are non-profit and/or pay out much more than the subscribers put in.

Thanks for your post.