Yeah, agreed re-700 words. 450-550 is often enough to rank. Even more so if newsy content and not targeted at longterm ranking. The recency boost is much less critical but after some weeks you may be pages down the SERPs.

At the same time many outlets have switched to 900, and even 1,100-1,200 words already.

Truth is the Big G loves some longer content and has gradually been focusing more on ever longer articles. Pretty much since Panda. A decade ago 250 words were enough, those days are long gone.

Longer content also makes it easier to add and spread out (back)links, even if there aren't many traffic shaping options on a mass submissions platform like this. But whoever wants to rank with content will do well to consider Steemit as their hosted content platform of choice.