diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/fields.py b/bookwyrm/models/fields.py
index bc10156b6..55de1fab2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/fields.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/fields.py
@@ -263,6 +263,7 @@ class ManyToManyField(ActivitypubFieldMixin, models.ManyToManyField):
         if formatted is None or formatted is MISSING:
             return
         getattr(instance, self.name).set(formatted)
+        instance.save(broadcast=False)
 
     def field_to_activity(self, value):
         if self.link_only:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/status.py b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
index 7091fd0b5..d2768e286 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
@@ -52,13 +52,15 @@ class Status(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, BookWyrmModel):
     serialize_reverse_fields = [('attachments', 'attachment', 'id')]
     deserialize_reverse_fields = [('attachments', 'attachment')]
 
+
     def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
         ''' save and notify '''
         super().save(*args, **kwargs)
 
         notification_model = apps.get_model(
             'bookwyrm.Notification', require_ready=True)
-        if self.reply_parent and self.reply_parent.user.local:
+        if self.reply_parent and self.reply_parent.user != self.user and \
+                self.reply_parent.user.local:
             notification_model.objects.create(
                 user=self.reply_parent.user,
                 notification_type='REPLY',
@@ -68,7 +70,8 @@ class Status(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, BookWyrmModel):
         for mention_user in self.mention_users.all():
             # avoid double-notifying about this status
             if not mention_user.local or notification_model.objects.filter(
-                    related_status=self, related_user=mention_user).exists():
+                    user=mention_user, related_status=self,
+                    related_user=self.user).exists():
                 continue
             notification_model.objects.create(
                 user=mention_user,