The problem with recruiters is that they're the only (potential) vendor/service provider to your business that doesn't actually understand the product they are delivering to you.
* My hosting partner knows how operate servers and datacenters
* My employee payroll + benefits partner knows employee laws.
* My lawyer knows corporate law
* My CPA knows accountancy and tax rules.
* My recruiter is unlikely to understand very much about developers, the types of people developer I need to hire into my specific role, the needs of an engineering hiring manager, etc.
Why, therefore, people continue to use them is beyond me.
You just answered your own question. People who understand very much about developers and the types of developers for specific roles are the requirements of a good technical manager.
A recruiter who's very good with technology and who can program is better off being a developer financially.
A recruiter who's very good with people and navigating the intricacies of a project is better off financially being an internal HR manager or project manager.
* My hosting partner knows how operate servers and datacenters
* My employee payroll + benefits partner knows employee laws.
* My lawyer knows corporate law
* My CPA knows accountancy and tax rules.
* My recruiter is unlikely to understand very much about developers, the types of people developer I need to hire into my specific role, the needs of an engineering hiring manager, etc.
Why, therefore, people continue to use them is beyond me.