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It could be something like the 4th July holiday when people find out about Steem, followed by a week for approval, then lots of new users who hadn't spent the 4th July holiday reading etiquette guides hitting the system.

That makes sense.

My approval only took a day or two and I think I've seen mention that it's taking a week or two now.

That coupled with the reviewers or at least some of them being off on vacation too.