Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Are they "trading" or "high-frequency-ripping-off-retail-investors"? HFT doesn't cost retail investors anything.
HFT raises pricing for retail traders by allowing front running of trades and makes the market less competitive overall for those without the infrastructure to do so. This isn’t even in question.
It likely lowers the transaction costs due to adding liquidity and narrowing bid/ask spreads for small retail orders.
But indirectly it likely raises costs for institutional investors like pension funds and large ETF managers making giant block trades on behalf their beneficiaries.
So tldr; Probably fractionally better pricing for your $5k GOOG trade, fractionally worse for your VOO holdings over the long term.