Do category pages help with SEO, or are they just pointless?

I've discussed this with many new SEOs, and here’s my take: When done right, category pages can help with SEO by targeting valuable keywords, improving rankings, and making navigation easier. But most people get it wrong by leaving them empty, using default text, or not linking properly. I also found that adding a short 400-600 word intro, using relevant keywords, and linking to your best content can improve your category page rankings. It’s a simple but effective strategy. If you can, please add your point to know better about category pages.