diff --git a/internal/ap/extract_test.go b/internal/ap/extract_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8753e8c24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/ap/extract_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+/*
+   GoToSocial
+   Copyright (C) 2021 GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+
+   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+   it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+   (at your option) any later version.
+
+   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+   GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+   You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+   along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package ap_test
+
+import (
+	"github.com/go-fed/activity/streams"
+	"github.com/go-fed/activity/streams/vocab"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/testrig"
+)
+
+func document1() vocab.ActivityStreamsDocument {
+	d := streams.NewActivityStreamsDocument()
+
+	dMediaType := streams.NewActivityStreamsMediaTypeProperty()
+	dMediaType.Set("image/jpeg")
+	d.SetActivityStreamsMediaType(dMediaType)
+
+	dURL := streams.NewActivityStreamsUrlProperty()
+	dURL.AppendIRI(testrig.URLMustParse("https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/plushcity/media_attachments/files/106/867/380/219/163/828/original/88e8758c5f011439.jpg"))
+	d.SetActivityStreamsUrl(dURL)
+
+	dName := streams.NewActivityStreamsNameProperty()
+	dName.AppendXMLSchemaString("It's a cute plushie.")
+	d.SetActivityStreamsName(dName)
+
+	dBlurhash := streams.NewTootBlurhashProperty()
+	dBlurhash.Set("UxQ0EkRP_4tRxtRjWBt7%hozM_ayV@oLf6WB")
+	d.SetTootBlurhash(dBlurhash)
+
+	return d
+}
+
+func attachment1() vocab.ActivityStreamsAttachmentProperty {
+	a := streams.NewActivityStreamsAttachmentProperty()
+	a.AppendActivityStreamsDocument(document1())
+	return a
+}
+
+func noteWithMentions1() vocab.ActivityStreamsNote {
+	note := streams.NewActivityStreamsNote()
+
+	tags := streams.NewActivityStreamsTagProperty()
+
+	mention1 := streams.NewActivityStreamsMention()
+
+	mention1Href := streams.NewActivityStreamsHrefProperty()
+	mention1Href.Set(testrig.URLMustParse("https://gts.superseriousbusiness.org/users/dumpsterqueer"))
+	mention1.SetActivityStreamsHref(mention1Href)
+
+	mention1Name := streams.NewActivityStreamsNameProperty()
+	mention1Name.AppendXMLSchemaString("@dumpsterqueer@superseriousbusiness.org")
+	mention1.SetActivityStreamsName(mention1Name)
+
+	mention2 := streams.NewActivityStreamsMention()
+
+	mention2Href := streams.NewActivityStreamsHrefProperty()
+	mention2Href.Set(testrig.URLMustParse("https://gts.superseriousbusiness.org/users/f0x"))
+	mention2.SetActivityStreamsHref(mention2Href)
+
+	mention2Name := streams.NewActivityStreamsNameProperty()
+	mention2Name.AppendXMLSchemaString("@f0x@superseriousbusiness.org")
+	mention2.SetActivityStreamsName(mention2Name)
+
+	tags.AppendActivityStreamsMention(mention1)
+	tags.AppendActivityStreamsMention(mention2)
+
+	note.SetActivityStreamsTag(tags)
+
+	return note
+}
+
+type ExtractTestSuite struct {
+	suite.Suite
+	document1         vocab.ActivityStreamsDocument
+	attachment1       vocab.ActivityStreamsAttachmentProperty
+	noteWithMentions1 vocab.ActivityStreamsNote
+}
+
+func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) SetupTest() {
+	suite.document1 = document1()
+	suite.attachment1 = attachment1()
+	suite.noteWithMentions1 = noteWithMentions1()
+}
diff --git a/internal/ap/extractattachments_test.go b/internal/ap/extractattachments_test.go
index ea396fae5..3be340cc5 100644
--- a/internal/ap/extractattachments_test.go
+++ b/internal/ap/extractattachments_test.go
@@ -22,47 +22,17 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/go-fed/activity/streams"
-	"github.com/go-fed/activity/streams/vocab"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/ap"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/testrig"
 )
 
-func document1() vocab.ActivityStreamsDocument {
-	document1 := streams.NewActivityStreamsDocument()
-
-	document1MediaType := streams.NewActivityStreamsMediaTypeProperty()
-	document1MediaType.Set("image/jpeg")
-	document1.SetActivityStreamsMediaType(document1MediaType)
-
-	document1URL := streams.NewActivityStreamsUrlProperty()
-	document1URL.AppendIRI(testrig.URLMustParse("https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/plushcity/media_attachments/files/106/867/380/219/163/828/original/88e8758c5f011439.jpg"))
-	document1.SetActivityStreamsUrl(document1URL)
-
-	document1Name := streams.NewActivityStreamsNameProperty()
-	document1Name.AppendXMLSchemaString("It's a cute plushie.")
-	document1.SetActivityStreamsName(document1Name)
-
-	document1Blurhash := streams.NewTootBlurhashProperty()
-	document1Blurhash.Set("UxQ0EkRP_4tRxtRjWBt7%hozM_ayV@oLf6WB")
-	document1.SetTootBlurhash(document1Blurhash)
-
-	return document1
+type ExtractAttachmentsTestSuite struct {
+	ExtractTestSuite
 }
 
-func attachment1() vocab.ActivityStreamsAttachmentProperty {
-	attachment1 := streams.NewActivityStreamsAttachmentProperty()
-	attachment1.AppendActivityStreamsDocument(document1())
-	return attachment1
-}
-
-type ExtractTestSuite struct {
-	suite.Suite
-}
-
-func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachments() {
+func (suite *ExtractAttachmentsTestSuite) TestExtractAttachments() {
 	note := streams.NewActivityStreamsNote()
-	note.SetActivityStreamsAttachment(attachment1())
+	note.SetActivityStreamsAttachment(suite.attachment1)
 
 	attachments, err := ap.ExtractAttachments(note)
 	suite.NoError(err)
@@ -75,7 +45,7 @@ func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachments() {
 	suite.Empty(attachment1.Blurhash) // atm we discard blurhashes and generate them ourselves during processing
 }
 
-func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractNoAttachments() {
+func (suite *ExtractAttachmentsTestSuite) TestExtractNoAttachments() {
 	note := streams.NewActivityStreamsNote()
 
 	attachments, err := ap.ExtractAttachments(note)
@@ -83,8 +53,8 @@ func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractNoAttachments() {
 	suite.Empty(attachments)
 }
 
-func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentsMissingContentType() {
-	d1 := document1()
+func (suite *ExtractAttachmentsTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentsMissingContentType() {
+	d1 := suite.document1
 	d1.SetActivityStreamsMediaType(streams.NewActivityStreamsMediaTypeProperty())
 
 	a1 := streams.NewActivityStreamsAttachmentProperty()
@@ -98,9 +68,8 @@ func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentsMissingContentType() {
 	suite.Empty(attachments)
 }
 
-func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentMissingContentType() {
-
-	d1 := document1()
+func (suite *ExtractAttachmentsTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentMissingContentType() {
+	d1 := suite.document1
 	d1.SetActivityStreamsMediaType(streams.NewActivityStreamsMediaTypeProperty())
 
 	attachment, err := ap.ExtractAttachment(d1)
@@ -108,8 +77,8 @@ func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentMissingContentType() {
 	suite.Nil(attachment)
 }
 
-func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentMissingURL() {
-	d1 := document1()
+func (suite *ExtractAttachmentsTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentMissingURL() {
+	d1 := suite.document1
 	d1.SetActivityStreamsUrl(streams.NewActivityStreamsUrlProperty())
 
 	attachment, err := ap.ExtractAttachment(d1)
@@ -117,6 +86,6 @@ func (suite *ExtractTestSuite) TestExtractAttachmentMissingURL() {
 	suite.Nil(attachment)
 }
 
-func TestExtractTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
-	suite.Run(t, &ExtractTestSuite{})
+func TestExtractAttachmentsTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
+	suite.Run(t, &ExtractAttachmentsTestSuite{})
 }
diff --git a/internal/ap/extractmentions_test.go b/internal/ap/extractmentions_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..03478465f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/ap/extractmentions_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/*
+   GoToSocial
+   Copyright (C) 2021 GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+
+   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+   it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+   (at your option) any later version.
+
+   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+   GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+   You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+   along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package ap_test
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/ap"
+)
+
+type ExtractMentionsTestSuite struct {
+	ExtractTestSuite
+}
+
+func (suite *ExtractMentionsTestSuite) TestExtractMentions() {
+	note := suite.noteWithMentions1
+
+	mentions, err := ap.ExtractMentions(note)
+	suite.NoError(err)
+	suite.Len(mentions, 2)
+
+	m1 := mentions[0]
+	suite.Equal("@dumpsterqueer@superseriousbusiness.org", m1.NameString)
+	suite.Equal("https://gts.superseriousbusiness.org/users/dumpsterqueer", m1.TargetAccountURI)
+
+	m2 := mentions[1]
+	suite.Equal("@f0x@superseriousbusiness.org", m2.NameString)
+	suite.Equal("https://gts.superseriousbusiness.org/users/f0x", m2.TargetAccountURI)
+}
+
+func TestExtractMentionsTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
+	suite.Run(t, &ExtractMentionsTestSuite{})
+}
diff --git a/internal/federation/dereference.go b/internal/federation/dereference.go
index a9dbabb42..217009177 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereference.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereference.go
@@ -34,12 +34,12 @@ func (f *federator) EnrichRemoteAccount(ctx context.Context, username string, ac
 	return f.dereferencer.EnrichRemoteAccount(ctx, username, account)
 }
 
-func (f *federator) GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error) {
-	return f.dereferencer.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, remoteStatusID, refresh, includeParent, includeChilds)
+func (f *federator) GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error) {
+	return f.dereferencer.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, remoteStatusID, refresh, includeParent)
 }
 
-func (f *federator) EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
-	return f.dereferencer.EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx, username, status, includeParent, includeChilds)
+func (f *federator) EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
+	return f.dereferencer.EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx, username, status, includeParent)
 }
 
 func (f *federator) DereferenceRemoteThread(ctx context.Context, username string, statusIRI *url.URL) error {
diff --git a/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go b/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go
index f0b4c9e9a..edab8c6ca 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (d *deref) DereferenceAnnounce(ctx context.Context, announce *gtsmodel.Stat
 		return fmt.Errorf("DereferenceAnnounce: error dereferencing thread of boosted status: %s", err)
 	}
 
-	boostedStatus, _, _, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, requestingUsername, boostedStatusURI, false, false, false)
+	boostedStatus, _, _, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, requestingUsername, boostedStatusURI, false, true)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("DereferenceAnnounce: error dereferencing remote status with id %s: %s", announce.BoostOf.URI, err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/federation/dereferencing/dereferencer.go b/internal/federation/dereferencing/dereferencer.go
index f19ce59a7..ea347b30e 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereferencing/dereferencer.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereferencing/dereferencer.go
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ type Dereferencer interface {
 	GetRemoteAccount(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteAccountID *url.URL, refresh bool) (*gtsmodel.Account, bool, error)
 	EnrichRemoteAccount(ctx context.Context, username string, account *gtsmodel.Account) (*gtsmodel.Account, error)
 
-	GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error)
-	EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
+	GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error)
+	EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
 
 	GetRemoteInstance(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteInstanceURI *url.URL) (*gtsmodel.Instance, error)
 
diff --git a/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go b/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go
index 1c9742797..edf1f0e41 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ import (
 //
 // EnrichRemoteStatus is mostly useful for calling after a status has been initially created by
 // the federatingDB's Create function, but additional dereferencing is needed on it.
-func (d *deref) EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
-	if err := d.populateStatusFields(ctx, status, username, includeParent, includeChilds); err != nil {
+func (d *deref) EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
+	if err := d.populateStatusFields(ctx, status, username, includeParent); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func (d *deref) EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status
 // If a dereference was performed, then the function also returns the ap.Statusable representation for further processing.
 //
 // SIDE EFFECTS: remote status will be stored in the database, and the remote status owner will also be stored.
-func (d *deref) GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error) {
+func (d *deref) GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error) {
 	new := true
 
 	// check if we already have the status in our db
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func (d *deref) GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStat
 		}
 		gtsStatus.ID = ulid
 
-		if err := d.populateStatusFields(ctx, gtsStatus, username, includeParent, includeChilds); err != nil {
+		if err := d.populateStatusFields(ctx, gtsStatus, username, includeParent); err != nil {
 			return nil, statusable, new, fmt.Errorf("GetRemoteStatus: error populating status fields: %s", err)
 		}
 
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func (d *deref) GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStat
 	} else {
 		gtsStatus.ID = maybeStatus.ID
 
-		if err := d.populateStatusFields(ctx, gtsStatus, username, includeParent, includeChilds); err != nil {
+		if err := d.populateStatusFields(ctx, gtsStatus, username, includeParent); err != nil {
 			return nil, statusable, new, fmt.Errorf("GetRemoteStatus: error populating status fields: %s", err)
 		}
 
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ func (d *deref) dereferenceStatusable(ctx context.Context, username string, remo
 // This function will deference all of the above, insert them in the database as necessary,
 // and attach them to the status. The status itself will not be added to the database yet,
 // that's up the caller to do.
-func (d *deref) populateStatusFields(ctx context.Context, status *gtsmodel.Status, requestingUsername string, includeParent, includeChilds bool) error {
+func (d *deref) populateStatusFields(ctx context.Context, status *gtsmodel.Status, requestingUsername string, includeParent bool) error {
 	l := d.log.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
 		"func":   "dereferenceStatusFields",
 		"status": fmt.Sprintf("%+v", status),
@@ -275,12 +275,10 @@ func (d *deref) populateStatusFields(ctx context.Context, status *gtsmodel.Statu
 	// 3. Emojis
 	// TODO
 
-	// 4. Mentions (only if requested)
+	// 4. Mentions
 	// TODO: do we need to handle removing empty mention objects and just using mention IDs slice?
-	if includeChilds {
-		if err := d.populateStatusMentions(ctx, status, requestingUsername); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("populateStatusFields: error populating status mentions: %s", err)
-		}
+	if err := d.populateStatusMentions(ctx, status, requestingUsername); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("populateStatusFields: error populating status mentions: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	// 5. Replied-to-status (only if requested)
@@ -325,10 +323,10 @@ func (d *deref) populateStatusMentions(ctx context.Context, status *gtsmodel.Sta
 		errs := []string{}
 
 		// check if account is in the db already
-		if a, err := d.db.GetAccountByURL(ctx, targetAccountURI.String()); err != nil {
+		if a, err := d.db.GetAccountByURI(ctx, targetAccountURI.String()); err != nil {
 			errs = append(errs, err.Error())
 		} else {
-			l.Debugf("populateStatusMentions: got target account %s with id %s through GetAccountByURL", targetAccountURI, a.ID)
+			l.Debugf("populateStatusMentions: got target account %s with id %s through GetAccountByURI", targetAccountURI, a.ID)
 			targetAccount = a
 		}
 
@@ -359,7 +357,7 @@ func (d *deref) populateStatusMentions(ctx context.Context, status *gtsmodel.Sta
 			Status:           m.Status,
 			CreatedAt:        status.CreatedAt,
 			UpdatedAt:        status.UpdatedAt,
-			OriginAccountID:  status.Account.ID,
+			OriginAccountID:  status.AccountID,
 			OriginAccountURI: status.AccountURI,
 			OriginAccount:    status.Account,
 			TargetAccountID:  targetAccount.ID,
@@ -426,7 +424,7 @@ func (d *deref) populateStatusRepliedTo(ctx context.Context, status *gtsmodel.St
 		replyToStatus, err := d.db.GetStatusByURI(ctx, status.InReplyToURI)
 		if err != nil {
 			// Status was not in the DB, try fetch
-			replyToStatus, _, _, err = d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, requestingUsername, statusURI, false, false, false)
+			replyToStatus, _, _, err = d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, requestingUsername, statusURI, false, false)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("populateStatusRepliedTo: couldn't get reply to status with uri %s: %s", status.InReplyToURI, err)
 			}
diff --git a/internal/federation/dereferencing/status_test.go b/internal/federation/dereferencing/status_test.go
index 636870232..442ea55c3 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereferencing/status_test.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereferencing/status_test.go
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ func (suite *StatusTestSuite) TestDereferenceSimpleStatus() {
 	fetchingAccount := suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"]
 
 	statusURL := testrig.URLMustParse("https://unknown-instance.com/users/brand_new_person/statuses/01FE4NTHKWW7THT67EF10EB839")
-	status, statusable, new, err := suite.dereferencer.GetRemoteStatus(context.Background(), fetchingAccount.Username, statusURL, false, false, false)
+	status, statusable, new, err := suite.dereferencer.GetRemoteStatus(context.Background(), fetchingAccount.Username, statusURL, false, false)
 	suite.NoError(err)
 	suite.NotNil(status)
 	suite.NotNil(statusable)
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func (suite *StatusTestSuite) TestDereferenceStatusWithMention() {
 	fetchingAccount := suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"]
 
 	statusURL := testrig.URLMustParse("https://unknown-instance.com/users/brand_new_person/statuses/01FE5Y30E3W4P7TRE0R98KAYQV")
-	status, statusable, new, err := suite.dereferencer.GetRemoteStatus(context.Background(), fetchingAccount.Username, statusURL, false, false, true)
+	status, statusable, new, err := suite.dereferencer.GetRemoteStatus(context.Background(), fetchingAccount.Username, statusURL, false, false)
 	suite.NoError(err)
 	suite.NotNil(status)
 	suite.NotNil(statusable)
diff --git a/internal/federation/dereferencing/thread.go b/internal/federation/dereferencing/thread.go
index af16c01b2..87cc42918 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereferencing/thread.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereferencing/thread.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (d *deref) DereferenceThread(ctx context.Context, username string, statusIR
 	}
 
 	// first make sure we have this status in our db
-	_, statusable, _, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, statusIRI, true, false, false)
+	_, statusable, _, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, statusIRI, true, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("DereferenceThread: error getting status with id %s: %s", statusIRI.String(), err)
 	}
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ func (d *deref) iterateAncestors(ctx context.Context, username string, statusIRI
 
 	// If we reach here, we're looking at a remote status -- make sure we have it in our db by calling GetRemoteStatus
 	// We call it with refresh to true because we want the statusable representation to parse inReplyTo from.
-	_, statusable, _, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, &statusIRI, true, false, false)
+	_, statusable, _, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, &statusIRI, true, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		l.Debugf("error getting remote status: %s", err)
 		return nil
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ pageLoop:
 			foundReplies = foundReplies + 1
 
 			// get the remote statusable and put it in the db
-			_, statusable, new, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, itemURI, false, false, false)
+			_, statusable, new, err := d.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, username, itemURI, false, false)
 			if new && err == nil && statusable != nil {
 				// now iterate descendants of *that* status
 				if err := d.iterateDescendants(ctx, username, *itemURI, statusable); err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/federation/federator.go b/internal/federation/federator.go
index aecddf017..a385c4504 100644
--- a/internal/federation/federator.go
+++ b/internal/federation/federator.go
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ type Federator interface {
 	GetRemoteAccount(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteAccountID *url.URL, refresh bool) (*gtsmodel.Account, bool, error)
 	EnrichRemoteAccount(ctx context.Context, username string, account *gtsmodel.Account) (*gtsmodel.Account, error)
 
-	GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error)
-	EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent, includeChilds bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
+	GetRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteStatusID *url.URL, refresh, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, bool, error)
+	EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx context.Context, username string, status *gtsmodel.Status, includeParent bool) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
 
 	GetRemoteInstance(ctx context.Context, username string, remoteInstanceURI *url.URL) (*gtsmodel.Instance, error)
 
diff --git a/internal/processing/fromfederator.go b/internal/processing/fromfederator.go
index 1bf841bba..20027f2a1 100644
--- a/internal/processing/fromfederator.go
+++ b/internal/processing/fromfederator.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func (p *processor) ProcessFromFederator(ctx context.Context, federatorMsg messa
 				return errors.New("note was not parseable as *gtsmodel.Status")
 			}
 
-			status, err := p.federator.EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx, federatorMsg.ReceivingAccount.Username, incomingStatus, false, false)
+			status, err := p.federator.EnrichRemoteStatus(ctx, federatorMsg.ReceivingAccount.Username, incomingStatus, true)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
diff --git a/internal/processing/fromfederator_test.go b/internal/processing/fromfederator_test.go
index 598af5337..c58334787 100644
--- a/internal/processing/fromfederator_test.go
+++ b/internal/processing/fromfederator_test.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/ap"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/id"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/messages"
 )
 
@@ -81,6 +82,75 @@ func (suite *FromFederatorTestSuite) TestProcessFederationAnnounce() {
 	suite.False(notif.Read)
 }
 
+func (suite *FromFederatorTestSuite) TestProcessReplyMention() {
+	repliedAccount := suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"]
+	repliedStatus := suite.testStatuses["local_account_1_status_1"]
+	replyingAccount := suite.testAccounts["remote_account_1"]
+	replyingStatus := &gtsmodel.Status{
+		CreatedAt: time.Now(),
+		UpdatedAt: time.Now(),
+		URI:       "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221634728637552",
+		URL:       "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/@foss_satan/106221634728637552",
+		Content:   `<p><span class="h-card"><a href="http://localhost:8080/@the_mighty_zork" class="u-url mention">@<span>the_mighty_zork</span></a></span> nice there it is:</p><p><a href="http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork/statuses/01F8MHAMCHF6Y650WCRSCP4WMY/activity" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">social.pixie.town/users/f0x/st</span><span class="invisible">atuses/106221628567855262/activity</span></a></p>`,
+		Mentions: []*gtsmodel.Mention{
+			{
+				TargetAccountURI: repliedAccount.URI,
+				NameString:       "@the_mighty_zork@localhost:8080",
+			},
+		},
+		AccountID:           replyingAccount.ID,
+		AccountURI:          replyingAccount.URI,
+		InReplyToID:         repliedStatus.ID,
+		InReplyToURI:        repliedStatus.URI,
+		InReplyToAccountID:  repliedAccount.ID,
+		Visibility:          gtsmodel.VisibilityUnlocked,
+		ActivityStreamsType: ap.ObjectNote,
+		Federated:           true,
+		Boostable:           true,
+		Replyable:           true,
+		Likeable:            true,
+	}
+
+	// id the status based on the time it was created
+	statusID, err := id.NewULIDFromTime(replyingStatus.CreatedAt)
+	suite.NoError(err)
+	replyingStatus.ID = statusID
+
+	err = suite.db.PutStatus(context.Background(), replyingStatus)
+	suite.NoError(err)
+
+	err = suite.processor.ProcessFromFederator(context.Background(), messages.FromFederator{
+		APObjectType:     ap.ObjectNote,
+		APActivityType:   ap.ActivityCreate,
+		GTSModel:         replyingStatus,
+		ReceivingAccount: suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"],
+	})
+	suite.NoError(err)
+
+	// side effects should be triggered
+	// 1. status should be in the database
+	suite.NotEmpty(replyingStatus.ID)
+	_, err = suite.db.GetStatusByID(context.Background(), replyingStatus.ID)
+	suite.NoError(err)
+
+	// 2. a notification should exist for the mention
+	where := []db.Where{
+		{
+			Key:   "status_id",
+			Value: replyingStatus.ID,
+		},
+	}
+
+	notif := &gtsmodel.Notification{}
+	err = suite.db.GetWhere(context.Background(), where, notif)
+	suite.NoError(err)
+	suite.Equal(gtsmodel.NotificationMention, notif.NotificationType)
+	suite.Equal(replyingStatus.InReplyToAccountID, notif.TargetAccountID)
+	suite.Equal(replyingStatus.AccountID, notif.OriginAccountID)
+	suite.Equal(replyingStatus.ID, notif.StatusID)
+	suite.False(notif.Read)
+}
+
 func TestFromFederatorTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
 	suite.Run(t, &FromFederatorTestSuite{})
 }
diff --git a/internal/processing/search.go b/internal/processing/search.go
index 85da0d83f..2fb1f6062 100644
--- a/internal/processing/search.go
+++ b/internal/processing/search.go
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ func (p *processor) searchStatusByURI(ctx context.Context, authed *oauth.Auth, u
 
 	// we don't have it locally so dereference it if we're allowed to
 	if resolve {
-		status, _, _, err := p.federator.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, authed.Account.Username, uri, true, false, false)
+		status, _, _, err := p.federator.GetRemoteStatus(ctx, authed.Account.Username, uri, true, true)
 		if err == nil {
 			if err := p.federator.DereferenceRemoteThread(ctx, authed.Account.Username, uri); err != nil {
 				// try to deref the thread while we're here
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go b/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go
index 21b36a5c4..bc44ec2bd 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go
@@ -25,328 +25,19 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/go-fed/activity/streams"
+	"github.com/go-fed/activity/streams/vocab"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/ap"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/typeutils"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/testrig"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
 )
 
 type ASToInternalTestSuite struct {
-	ConverterStandardTestSuite
-}
-
-const (
-	statusWithMentionsActivityJson = `{
-		"@context": [
-		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
-		  {
-			"ostatus": "http://ostatus.org#",
-			"atomUri": "ostatus:atomUri",
-			"inReplyToAtomUri": "ostatus:inReplyToAtomUri",
-			"conversation": "ostatus:conversation",
-			"sensitive": "as:sensitive",
-			"toot": "http://joinmastodon.org/ns#",
-			"votersCount": "toot:votersCount"
-		  }
-		],
-		"id": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221634728637552/activity",
-		"type": "Create",
-		"actor": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer",
-		"published": "2021-05-12T09:58:38Z",
-		"to": [
-		  "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/followers"
-		],
-		"cc": [
-		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
-		  "https://social.pixie.town/users/f0x"
-		],
-		"object": {
-		  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221634728637552",
-		  "type": "Note",
-		  "summary": null,
-		  "inReplyTo": "https://social.pixie.town/users/f0x/statuses/106221628567855262",
-		  "published": "2021-05-12T09:58:38Z",
-		  "url": "https://ondergrond.org/@dumpsterqueer/106221634728637552",
-		  "attributedTo": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer",
-		  "to": [
-			"https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/followers"
-		  ],
-		  "cc": [
-			"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
-			"https://social.pixie.town/users/f0x"
-		  ],
-		  "sensitive": false,
-		  "atomUri": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221634728637552",
-		  "inReplyToAtomUri": "https://social.pixie.town/users/f0x/statuses/106221628567855262",
-		  "conversation": "tag:ondergrond.org,2021-05-12:objectId=1132361:objectType=Conversation",
-		  "content": "<p><span class=\"h-card\"><a href=\"https://social.pixie.town/@f0x\" class=\"u-url mention\">@<span>f0x</span></a></span> nice there it is:</p><p><a href=\"https://social.pixie.town/users/f0x/statuses/106221628567855262/activity\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://</span><span class=\"ellipsis\">social.pixie.town/users/f0x/st</span><span class=\"invisible\">atuses/106221628567855262/activity</span></a></p>",
-		  "contentMap": {
-			"en": "<p><span class=\"h-card\"><a href=\"https://social.pixie.town/@f0x\" class=\"u-url mention\">@<span>f0x</span></a></span> nice there it is:</p><p><a href=\"https://social.pixie.town/users/f0x/statuses/106221628567855262/activity\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://</span><span class=\"ellipsis\">social.pixie.town/users/f0x/st</span><span class=\"invisible\">atuses/106221628567855262/activity</span></a></p>"
-		  },
-		  "attachment": [],
-		  "tag": [
-			{
-			  "type": "Mention",
-			  "href": "https://social.pixie.town/users/f0x",
-			  "name": "@f0x@pixie.town"
-			}
-		  ],
-		  "replies": {
-			"id": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221634728637552/replies",
-			"type": "Collection",
-			"first": {
-			  "type": "CollectionPage",
-			  "next": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221634728637552/replies?only_other_accounts=true&page=true",
-			  "partOf": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221634728637552/replies",
-			  "items": []
-			}
-		  }
-		}
-	  }`
-	statusWithEmojisAndTagsAsActivityJson = `{
-		"@context": [
-		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
-		  {
-			"ostatus": "http://ostatus.org#",
-			"atomUri": "ostatus:atomUri",
-			"inReplyToAtomUri": "ostatus:inReplyToAtomUri",
-			"conversation": "ostatus:conversation",
-			"sensitive": "as:sensitive",
-			"toot": "http://joinmastodon.org/ns#",
-			"votersCount": "toot:votersCount",
-			"Hashtag": "as:Hashtag",
-			"Emoji": "toot:Emoji",
-			"focalPoint": {
-			  "@container": "@list",
-			  "@id": "toot:focalPoint"
-			}
-		  }
-		],
-		"id": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221567884565704/activity",
-		"type": "Create",
-		"actor": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer",
-		"published": "2021-05-12T09:41:38Z",
-		"to": [
-		  "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/followers"
-		],
-		"cc": [
-		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
-		],
-		"object": {
-		  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221567884565704",
-		  "type": "Note",
-		  "summary": null,
-		  "inReplyTo": null,
-		  "published": "2021-05-12T09:41:38Z",
-		  "url": "https://ondergrond.org/@dumpsterqueer/106221567884565704",
-		  "attributedTo": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer",
-		  "to": [
-			"https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/followers"
-		  ],
-		  "cc": [
-			"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
-		  ],
-		  "sensitive": false,
-		  "atomUri": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221567884565704",
-		  "inReplyToAtomUri": null,
-		  "conversation": "tag:ondergrond.org,2021-05-12:objectId=1132361:objectType=Conversation",
-		  "content": "<p>just testing activitypub representations of <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/tags\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>tags</span></a> and <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/emoji\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>emoji</span></a>  :party_parrot: :amaze: :blobsunglasses: </p><p>don&apos;t mind me....</p>",
-		  "contentMap": {
-			"en": "<p>just testing activitypub representations of <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/tags\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>tags</span></a> and <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/emoji\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>emoji</span></a>  :party_parrot: :amaze: :blobsunglasses: </p><p>don&apos;t mind me....</p>"
-		  },
-		  "attachment": [],
-		  "tag": [
-			{
-			  "type": "Hashtag",
-			  "href": "https://ondergrond.org/tags/tags",
-			  "name": "#tags"
-			},
-			{
-			  "type": "Hashtag",
-			  "href": "https://ondergrond.org/tags/emoji",
-			  "name": "#emoji"
-			},
-			{
-			  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/emojis/2390",
-			  "type": "Emoji",
-			  "name": ":party_parrot:",
-			  "updated": "2020-11-06T13:42:11Z",
-			  "icon": {
-				"type": "Image",
-				"mediaType": "image/gif",
-				"url": "https://ondergrond.org/system/custom_emojis/images/000/002/390/original/ef133aac7ab23341.gif"
-			  }
-			},
-			{
-			  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/emojis/2395",
-			  "type": "Emoji",
-			  "name": ":amaze:",
-			  "updated": "2020-09-26T12:29:56Z",
-			  "icon": {
-				"type": "Image",
-				"mediaType": "image/png",
-				"url": "https://ondergrond.org/system/custom_emojis/images/000/002/395/original/2c7d9345e57367ed.png"
-			  }
-			},
-			{
-			  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/emojis/764",
-			  "type": "Emoji",
-			  "name": ":blobsunglasses:",
-			  "updated": "2020-09-26T12:13:23Z",
-			  "icon": {
-				"type": "Image",
-				"mediaType": "image/png",
-				"url": "https://ondergrond.org/system/custom_emojis/images/000/000/764/original/3f8eef9de773c90d.png"
-			  }
-			}
-		  ],
-		  "replies": {
-			"id": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221567884565704/replies",
-			"type": "Collection",
-			"first": {
-			  "type": "CollectionPage",
-			  "next": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221567884565704/replies?only_other_accounts=true&page=true",
-			  "partOf": "https://ondergrond.org/users/dumpsterqueer/statuses/106221567884565704/replies",
-			  "items": []
-			}
-		  }
-		}
-	  }`
-	gargronAsActivityJson = `{
-		"@context": [
-		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
-		  "https://w3id.org/security/v1",
-		  {
-			"manuallyApprovesFollowers": "as:manuallyApprovesFollowers",
-			"toot": "http://joinmastodon.org/ns#",
-			"featured": {
-			  "@id": "toot:featured",
-			  "@type": "@id"
-			},
-			"featuredTags": {
-			  "@id": "toot:featuredTags",
-			  "@type": "@id"
-			},
-			"alsoKnownAs": {
-			  "@id": "as:alsoKnownAs",
-			  "@type": "@id"
-			},
-			"movedTo": {
-			  "@id": "as:movedTo",
-			  "@type": "@id"
-			},
-			"schema": "http://schema.org#",
-			"PropertyValue": "schema:PropertyValue",
-			"value": "schema:value",
-			"IdentityProof": "toot:IdentityProof",
-			"discoverable": "toot:discoverable",
-			"Device": "toot:Device",
-			"Ed25519Signature": "toot:Ed25519Signature",
-			"Ed25519Key": "toot:Ed25519Key",
-			"Curve25519Key": "toot:Curve25519Key",
-			"EncryptedMessage": "toot:EncryptedMessage",
-			"publicKeyBase64": "toot:publicKeyBase64",
-			"deviceId": "toot:deviceId",
-			"claim": {
-			  "@type": "@id",
-			  "@id": "toot:claim"
-			},
-			"fingerprintKey": {
-			  "@type": "@id",
-			  "@id": "toot:fingerprintKey"
-			},
-			"identityKey": {
-			  "@type": "@id",
-			  "@id": "toot:identityKey"
-			},
-			"devices": {
-			  "@type": "@id",
-			  "@id": "toot:devices"
-			},
-			"messageFranking": "toot:messageFranking",
-			"messageType": "toot:messageType",
-			"cipherText": "toot:cipherText",
-			"suspended": "toot:suspended",
-			"focalPoint": {
-			  "@container": "@list",
-			  "@id": "toot:focalPoint"
-			}
-		  }
-		],
-		"id": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron",
-		"type": "Person",
-		"following": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/following",
-		"followers": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/followers",
-		"inbox": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/inbox",
-		"outbox": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/outbox",
-		"featured": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/collections/featured",
-		"featuredTags": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/collections/tags",
-		"preferredUsername": "Gargron",
-		"name": "Eugen",
-		"summary": "<p>Developer of Mastodon and administrator of mastodon.social. I post service announcements, development updates, and personal stuff.</p>",
-		"url": "https://mastodon.social/@Gargron",
-		"manuallyApprovesFollowers": false,
-		"discoverable": true,
-		"devices": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/collections/devices",
-		"alsoKnownAs": [
-		  "https://tooting.ai/users/Gargron"
-		],
-		"publicKey": {
-		  "id": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron#main-key",
-		  "owner": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron",
-		  "publicKeyPem": "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----\nMIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEAvXc4vkECU2/CeuSo1wtn\nFoim94Ne1jBMYxTZ9wm2YTdJq1oiZKif06I2fOqDzY/4q/S9uccrE9Bkajv1dnkO\nVm31QjWlhVpSKynVxEWjVBO5Ienue8gND0xvHIuXf87o61poqjEoepvsQFElA5ym\novljWGSA/jpj7ozygUZhCXtaS2W5AD5tnBQUpcO0lhItYPYTjnmzcc4y2NbJV8hz\n2s2G8qKv8fyimE23gY1XrPJg+cRF+g4PqFXujjlJ7MihD9oqtLGxbu7o1cifTn3x\nBfIdPythWu5b4cujNsB3m3awJjVmx+MHQ9SugkSIYXV0Ina77cTNS0M2PYiH1PFR\nTwIDAQAB\n-----END PUBLIC KEY-----\n"
-		},
-		"tag": [],
-		"attachment": [
-		  {
-			"type": "PropertyValue",
-			"name": "Patreon",
-			"value": "<a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/mastodon\" rel=\"me nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://www.</span><span class=\"\">patreon.com/mastodon</span><span class=\"invisible\"></span></a>"
-		  },
-		  {
-			"type": "PropertyValue",
-			"name": "Homepage",
-			"value": "<a href=\"https://zeonfederated.com\" rel=\"me nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://</span><span class=\"\">zeonfederated.com</span><span class=\"invisible\"></span></a>"
-		  },
-		  {
-			"type": "IdentityProof",
-			"name": "gargron",
-			"signatureAlgorithm": "keybase",
-			"signatureValue": "5cfc20c7018f2beefb42a68836da59a792e55daa4d118498c9b1898de7e845690f"
-		  }
-		],
-		"endpoints": {
-		  "sharedInbox": "https://mastodon.social/inbox"
-		},
-		"icon": {
-		  "type": "Image",
-		  "mediaType": "image/jpeg",
-		  "url": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/avatars/000/000/001/original/d96d39a0abb45b92.jpg"
-		},
-		"image": {
-		  "type": "Image",
-		  "mediaType": "image/png",
-		  "url": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/headers/000/000/001/original/c91b871f294ea63e.png"
-		}
-	  }`
-)
-
-func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) SetupSuite() {
-	suite.config = testrig.NewTestConfig()
-	suite.db = testrig.NewTestDB()
-	suite.log = testrig.NewTestLog()
-	suite.accounts = testrig.NewTestAccounts()
-	suite.people = testrig.NewTestFediPeople()
-	suite.typeconverter = typeutils.NewConverter(suite.config, suite.db, suite.log)
-}
-
-func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) SetupTest() {
-	testrig.StandardDBSetup(suite.db, nil)
+	TypeUtilsTestSuite
 }
 
 func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) TestParsePerson() {
-	testPerson := suite.people["https://unknown-instance.com/users/brand_new_person"]
+	testPerson := suite.testPeople["https://unknown-instance.com/users/brand_new_person"]
 
 	acct, err := suite.typeconverter.ASRepresentationToAccount(context.Background(), testPerson, false)
 	assert.NoError(suite.T(), err)
@@ -384,8 +75,48 @@ func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) TestParseGargron() {
 	// TODO: write assertions here, rn we're just eyeballing the output
 }
 
-func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) TearDownTest() {
-	testrig.StandardDBTeardown(suite.db)
+func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) TestParseReplyWithMention() {
+	m := make(map[string]interface{})
+	err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(statusWithMentionsActivityJson), &m)
+	assert.NoError(suite.T(), err)
+
+	t, err := streams.ToType(context.Background(), m)
+	assert.NoError(suite.T(), err)
+
+	create, ok := t.(vocab.ActivityStreamsCreate)
+	suite.True(ok)
+
+	object := create.GetActivityStreamsObject()
+	var status *gtsmodel.Status
+	for i := object.Begin(); i != nil; i = i.Next() {
+		statusable := i.GetActivityStreamsNote()
+		s, err := suite.typeconverter.ASStatusToStatus(context.Background(), statusable)
+		suite.NoError(err)
+		status = s
+		break
+	}
+	suite.NotNil(status)
+
+	postingAccount := suite.testAccounts["remote_account_1"]
+	inReplyToAccount := suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"]
+	inReplyToStatus := suite.testStatuses["local_account_1_status_1"]
+
+	suite.Equal("http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221634728637552", status.URI)
+	suite.Equal(postingAccount.ID, status.AccountID)
+	suite.Equal(postingAccount.URI, status.AccountURI)
+	suite.Equal(inReplyToAccount.ID, status.InReplyToAccountID)
+	suite.Equal(inReplyToStatus.ID, status.InReplyToID)
+	suite.Equal(inReplyToStatus.URI, status.InReplyToURI)
+	suite.True(status.Federated)
+	suite.True(status.Boostable)
+	suite.True(status.Replyable)
+	suite.True(status.Likeable)
+	suite.Equal(`<p><span class="h-card"><a href="http://localhost:8080/@the_mighty_zork" class="u-url mention">@<span>the_mighty_zork</span></a></span> nice there it is:</p><p><a href="http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork/statuses/01F8MHAMCHF6Y650WCRSCP4WMY/activity" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">social.pixie.town/users/f0x/st</span><span class="invisible">atuses/106221628567855262/activity</span></a></p>`, status.Content)
+	suite.Len(status.Mentions, 1)
+	m1 := status.Mentions[0]
+	suite.Equal(inReplyToAccount.URI, m1.TargetAccountURI)
+	suite.Equal("@the_mighty_zork@localhost:8080", m1.NameString)
+	suite.Equal(gtsmodel.VisibilityUnlocked, status.Visibility)
 }
 
 func TestASToInternalTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/converter_test.go b/internal/typeutils/converter_test.go
index 63f3fe705..424b0de29 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/converter_test.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/converter_test.go
@@ -26,16 +26,329 @@ import (
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/typeutils"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/testrig"
 )
 
-// nolint
-type ConverterStandardTestSuite struct {
+const (
+	statusWithMentionsActivityJson = `{
+		"@context": [
+		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+		  {
+			"ostatus": "http://ostatus.org#",
+			"atomUri": "ostatus:atomUri",
+			"inReplyToAtomUri": "ostatus:inReplyToAtomUri",
+			"conversation": "ostatus:conversation",
+			"sensitive": "as:sensitive",
+			"toot": "http://joinmastodon.org/ns#",
+			"votersCount": "toot:votersCount"
+		  }
+		],
+		"id": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221634728637552/activity",
+		"type": "Create",
+		"actor": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan",
+		"published": "2021-05-12T09:58:38Z",
+		"to": [
+		  "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/followers"
+		],
+		"cc": [
+		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
+		  "http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork"
+		],
+		"object": {
+		  "id": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221634728637552",
+		  "type": "Note",
+		  "summary": null,
+		  "inReplyTo": "http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork/statuses/01F8MHAMCHF6Y650WCRSCP4WMY",
+		  "published": "2021-05-12T09:58:38Z",
+		  "url": "https://ondergrond.org/@dumpsterqueer/106221634728637552",
+		  "attributedTo": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan",
+		  "to": [
+			"http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/followers"
+		  ],
+		  "cc": [
+			"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
+			"http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork"
+		  ],
+		  "sensitive": false,
+		  "conversation": "tag:ondergrond.org,2021-05-12:objectId=1132361:objectType=Conversation",
+		  "content": "<p><span class=\"h-card\"><a href=\"http://localhost:8080/@the_mighty_zork\" class=\"u-url mention\">@<span>the_mighty_zork</span></a></span> nice there it is:</p><p><a href=\"http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork/statuses/01F8MHAMCHF6Y650WCRSCP4WMY/activity\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://</span><span class=\"ellipsis\">social.pixie.town/users/f0x/st</span><span class=\"invisible\">atuses/106221628567855262/activity</span></a></p>",
+		  "contentMap": {
+			"en": "<p><span class=\"h-card\"><a href=\"http://localhost:8080/@the_mighty_zork\" class=\"u-url mention\">@<span>the_mighty_zork</span></a></span> nice there it is:</p><p><a href=\"http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork/statuses/01F8MHAMCHF6Y650WCRSCP4WMY/activity\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://</span><span class=\"ellipsis\">social.pixie.town/users/f0x/st</span><span class=\"invisible\">atuses/106221628567855262/activity</span></a></p>"
+		  },
+		  "attachment": [],
+		  "tag": [
+			{
+			  "type": "Mention",
+			  "href": "http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork",
+			  "name": "@the_mighty_zork@localhost:8080"
+			}
+		  ],
+		  "replies": {
+			"id": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221634728637552/replies",
+			"type": "Collection",
+			"first": {
+			  "type": "CollectionPage",
+			  "next": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221634728637552/replies?only_other_accounts=true&page=true",
+			  "partOf": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221634728637552/replies",
+			  "items": []
+			}
+		  }
+		}
+	  }`
+	statusWithEmojisAndTagsAsActivityJson = `{
+		"@context": [
+		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+		  {
+			"ostatus": "http://ostatus.org#",
+			"atomUri": "ostatus:atomUri",
+			"inReplyToAtomUri": "ostatus:inReplyToAtomUri",
+			"conversation": "ostatus:conversation",
+			"sensitive": "as:sensitive",
+			"toot": "http://joinmastodon.org/ns#",
+			"votersCount": "toot:votersCount",
+			"Hashtag": "as:Hashtag",
+			"Emoji": "toot:Emoji",
+			"focalPoint": {
+			  "@container": "@list",
+			  "@id": "toot:focalPoint"
+			}
+		  }
+		],
+		"id": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221567884565704/activity",
+		"type": "Create",
+		"actor": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan",
+		"published": "2021-05-12T09:41:38Z",
+		"to": [
+		  "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/followers"
+		],
+		"cc": [
+		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
+		],
+		"object": {
+		  "id": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221567884565704",
+		  "type": "Note",
+		  "summary": null,
+		  "inReplyTo": null,
+		  "published": "2021-05-12T09:41:38Z",
+		  "url": "https://ondergrond.org/@dumpsterqueer/106221567884565704",
+		  "attributedTo": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan",
+		  "to": [
+			"http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/followers"
+		  ],
+		  "cc": [
+			"https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"
+		  ],
+		  "sensitive": false,
+		  "atomUri": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221567884565704",
+		  "inReplyToAtomUri": null,
+		  "conversation": "tag:ondergrond.org,2021-05-12:objectId=1132361:objectType=Conversation",
+		  "content": "<p>just testing activitypub representations of <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/tags\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>tags</span></a> and <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/emoji\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>emoji</span></a>  :party_parrot: :amaze: :blobsunglasses: </p><p>don&apos;t mind me....</p>",
+		  "contentMap": {
+			"en": "<p>just testing activitypub representations of <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/tags\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>tags</span></a> and <a href=\"https://ondergrond.org/tags/emoji\" class=\"mention hashtag\" rel=\"tag\">#<span>emoji</span></a>  :party_parrot: :amaze: :blobsunglasses: </p><p>don&apos;t mind me....</p>"
+		  },
+		  "attachment": [],
+		  "tag": [
+			{
+			  "type": "Hashtag",
+			  "href": "https://ondergrond.org/tags/tags",
+			  "name": "#tags"
+			},
+			{
+			  "type": "Hashtag",
+			  "href": "https://ondergrond.org/tags/emoji",
+			  "name": "#emoji"
+			},
+			{
+			  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/emojis/2390",
+			  "type": "Emoji",
+			  "name": ":party_parrot:",
+			  "updated": "2020-11-06T13:42:11Z",
+			  "icon": {
+				"type": "Image",
+				"mediaType": "image/gif",
+				"url": "https://ondergrond.org/system/custom_emojis/images/000/002/390/original/ef133aac7ab23341.gif"
+			  }
+			},
+			{
+			  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/emojis/2395",
+			  "type": "Emoji",
+			  "name": ":amaze:",
+			  "updated": "2020-09-26T12:29:56Z",
+			  "icon": {
+				"type": "Image",
+				"mediaType": "image/png",
+				"url": "https://ondergrond.org/system/custom_emojis/images/000/002/395/original/2c7d9345e57367ed.png"
+			  }
+			},
+			{
+			  "id": "https://ondergrond.org/emojis/764",
+			  "type": "Emoji",
+			  "name": ":blobsunglasses:",
+			  "updated": "2020-09-26T12:13:23Z",
+			  "icon": {
+				"type": "Image",
+				"mediaType": "image/png",
+				"url": "https://ondergrond.org/system/custom_emojis/images/000/000/764/original/3f8eef9de773c90d.png"
+			  }
+			}
+		  ],
+		  "replies": {
+			"id": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221567884565704/replies",
+			"type": "Collection",
+			"first": {
+			  "type": "CollectionPage",
+			  "next": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221567884565704/replies?only_other_accounts=true&page=true",
+			  "partOf": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/users/foss_satan/statuses/106221567884565704/replies",
+			  "items": []
+			}
+		  }
+		}
+	  }`
+	gargronAsActivityJson = `{
+		"@context": [
+		  "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+		  "https://w3id.org/security/v1",
+		  {
+			"manuallyApprovesFollowers": "as:manuallyApprovesFollowers",
+			"toot": "http://joinmastodon.org/ns#",
+			"featured": {
+			  "@id": "toot:featured",
+			  "@type": "@id"
+			},
+			"featuredTags": {
+			  "@id": "toot:featuredTags",
+			  "@type": "@id"
+			},
+			"alsoKnownAs": {
+			  "@id": "as:alsoKnownAs",
+			  "@type": "@id"
+			},
+			"movedTo": {
+			  "@id": "as:movedTo",
+			  "@type": "@id"
+			},
+			"schema": "http://schema.org#",
+			"PropertyValue": "schema:PropertyValue",
+			"value": "schema:value",
+			"IdentityProof": "toot:IdentityProof",
+			"discoverable": "toot:discoverable",
+			"Device": "toot:Device",
+			"Ed25519Signature": "toot:Ed25519Signature",
+			"Ed25519Key": "toot:Ed25519Key",
+			"Curve25519Key": "toot:Curve25519Key",
+			"EncryptedMessage": "toot:EncryptedMessage",
+			"publicKeyBase64": "toot:publicKeyBase64",
+			"deviceId": "toot:deviceId",
+			"claim": {
+			  "@type": "@id",
+			  "@id": "toot:claim"
+			},
+			"fingerprintKey": {
+			  "@type": "@id",
+			  "@id": "toot:fingerprintKey"
+			},
+			"identityKey": {
+			  "@type": "@id",
+			  "@id": "toot:identityKey"
+			},
+			"devices": {
+			  "@type": "@id",
+			  "@id": "toot:devices"
+			},
+			"messageFranking": "toot:messageFranking",
+			"messageType": "toot:messageType",
+			"cipherText": "toot:cipherText",
+			"suspended": "toot:suspended",
+			"focalPoint": {
+			  "@container": "@list",
+			  "@id": "toot:focalPoint"
+			}
+		  }
+		],
+		"id": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron",
+		"type": "Person",
+		"following": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/following",
+		"followers": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/followers",
+		"inbox": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/inbox",
+		"outbox": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/outbox",
+		"featured": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/collections/featured",
+		"featuredTags": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/collections/tags",
+		"preferredUsername": "Gargron",
+		"name": "Eugen",
+		"summary": "<p>Developer of Mastodon and administrator of mastodon.social. I post service announcements, development updates, and personal stuff.</p>",
+		"url": "https://mastodon.social/@Gargron",
+		"manuallyApprovesFollowers": false,
+		"discoverable": true,
+		"devices": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron/collections/devices",
+		"alsoKnownAs": [
+		  "https://tooting.ai/users/Gargron"
+		],
+		"publicKey": {
+		  "id": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron#main-key",
+		  "owner": "https://mastodon.social/users/Gargron",
+		  "publicKeyPem": "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----\nMIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEAvXc4vkECU2/CeuSo1wtn\nFoim94Ne1jBMYxTZ9wm2YTdJq1oiZKif06I2fOqDzY/4q/S9uccrE9Bkajv1dnkO\nVm31QjWlhVpSKynVxEWjVBO5Ienue8gND0xvHIuXf87o61poqjEoepvsQFElA5ym\novljWGSA/jpj7ozygUZhCXtaS2W5AD5tnBQUpcO0lhItYPYTjnmzcc4y2NbJV8hz\n2s2G8qKv8fyimE23gY1XrPJg+cRF+g4PqFXujjlJ7MihD9oqtLGxbu7o1cifTn3x\nBfIdPythWu5b4cujNsB3m3awJjVmx+MHQ9SugkSIYXV0Ina77cTNS0M2PYiH1PFR\nTwIDAQAB\n-----END PUBLIC KEY-----\n"
+		},
+		"tag": [],
+		"attachment": [
+		  {
+			"type": "PropertyValue",
+			"name": "Patreon",
+			"value": "<a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/mastodon\" rel=\"me nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://www.</span><span class=\"\">patreon.com/mastodon</span><span class=\"invisible\"></span></a>"
+		  },
+		  {
+			"type": "PropertyValue",
+			"name": "Homepage",
+			"value": "<a href=\"https://zeonfederated.com\" rel=\"me nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://</span><span class=\"\">zeonfederated.com</span><span class=\"invisible\"></span></a>"
+		  },
+		  {
+			"type": "IdentityProof",
+			"name": "gargron",
+			"signatureAlgorithm": "keybase",
+			"signatureValue": "5cfc20c7018f2beefb42a68836da59a792e55daa4d118498c9b1898de7e845690f"
+		  }
+		],
+		"endpoints": {
+		  "sharedInbox": "https://mastodon.social/inbox"
+		},
+		"icon": {
+		  "type": "Image",
+		  "mediaType": "image/jpeg",
+		  "url": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/avatars/000/000/001/original/d96d39a0abb45b92.jpg"
+		},
+		"image": {
+		  "type": "Image",
+		  "mediaType": "image/png",
+		  "url": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/headers/000/000/001/original/c91b871f294ea63e.png"
+		}
+	  }`
+)
+
+type TypeUtilsTestSuite struct {
 	suite.Suite
-	config   *config.Config
-	db       db.DB
-	log      *logrus.Logger
-	accounts map[string]*gtsmodel.Account
-	people   map[string]vocab.ActivityStreamsPerson
+	config       *config.Config
+	db           db.DB
+	log          *logrus.Logger
+	testAccounts map[string]*gtsmodel.Account
+	testStatuses map[string]*gtsmodel.Status
+	testPeople   map[string]vocab.ActivityStreamsPerson
 
 	typeconverter typeutils.TypeConverter
 }
+
+func (suite *TypeUtilsTestSuite) SetupSuite() {
+	suite.config = testrig.NewTestConfig()
+	suite.db = testrig.NewTestDB()
+	suite.log = testrig.NewTestLog()
+	suite.testAccounts = testrig.NewTestAccounts()
+	suite.testStatuses = testrig.NewTestStatuses()
+	suite.testPeople = testrig.NewTestFediPeople()
+	suite.typeconverter = typeutils.NewConverter(suite.config, suite.db, suite.log)
+}
+
+func (suite *TypeUtilsTestSuite) SetupTest() {
+	testrig.StandardDBSetup(suite.db, nil)
+}
+
+func (suite *TypeUtilsTestSuite) TearDownTest() {
+	testrig.StandardDBTeardown(suite.db)
+}
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go b/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go
index de046fe0a..50f92e043 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go
@@ -27,37 +27,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/go-fed/activity/streams"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
-
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/typeutils"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/testrig"
 )
 
 type InternalToASTestSuite struct {
-	ConverterStandardTestSuite
-}
-
-// SetupSuite sets some variables on the suite that we can use as consts (more or less) throughout
-func (suite *InternalToASTestSuite) SetupSuite() {
-	// setup standard items
-	suite.config = testrig.NewTestConfig()
-	suite.db = testrig.NewTestDB()
-	suite.log = testrig.NewTestLog()
-	suite.accounts = testrig.NewTestAccounts()
-	suite.people = testrig.NewTestFediPeople()
-	suite.typeconverter = typeutils.NewConverter(suite.config, suite.db, suite.log)
-}
-
-func (suite *InternalToASTestSuite) SetupTest() {
-	testrig.StandardDBSetup(suite.db, nil)
-}
-
-// TearDownTest drops tables to make sure there's no data in the db
-func (suite *InternalToASTestSuite) TearDownTest() {
-	testrig.StandardDBTeardown(suite.db)
+	TypeUtilsTestSuite
 }
 
 func (suite *InternalToASTestSuite) TestAccountToAS() {
-	testAccount := suite.accounts["local_account_1"] // take zork for this test
+	testAccount := suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"] // take zork for this test
 
 	asPerson, err := suite.typeconverter.AccountToAS(context.Background(), testAccount)
 	assert.NoError(suite.T(), err)