diff --git a/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go b/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go
index 22c33685a..8e880dad5 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereferencing/announce.go
@@ -20,66 +20,107 @@
 import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
-	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/config"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/id"
 )
 
-func (d *Dereferencer) DereferenceAnnounce(ctx context.Context, announce *gtsmodel.Status, requestingUsername string) error {
-	if announce.BoostOf == nil {
-		// we can't do anything unfortunately
-		return errors.New("DereferenceAnnounce: no URI to dereference")
+// EnrichAnnounce enriches the given boost wrapper status
+// by either fetching from the DB or dereferencing the target
+// status, populating the boost wrapper's fields based on the
+// target status, and then storing the wrapper in the database.
+// The wrapper is then returned to the caller.
+//
+// The provided boost wrapper status must have BoostOfURI set.
+func (d *Dereferencer) EnrichAnnounce(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	boost *gtsmodel.Status,
+	requestUser string,
+) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
+	targetURI := boost.BoostOfURI
+	if targetURI == "" {
+		// We can't do anything.
+		return nil, gtserror.Newf("no URI to dereference")
 	}
 
-	// Parse the boosted status' URI
-	boostedURI, err := url.Parse(announce.BoostOf.URI)
+	// Parse the boost target status URI.
+	targetURIObj, err := url.Parse(targetURI)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("DereferenceAnnounce: couldn't parse boosted status URI %s: %s", announce.BoostOf.URI, err)
+		return nil, gtserror.Newf(
+			"couldn't parse boost target status URI %s: %w",
+			targetURI, err,
+		)
 	}
 
-	// Check whether the originating status is from a blocked host
-	if blocked, err := d.state.DB.IsDomainBlocked(ctx, boostedURI.Host); blocked || err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("DereferenceAnnounce: domain %s is blocked", boostedURI.Host)
-	}
+	// Fetch/deref status being boosted.
+	var target *gtsmodel.Status
 
-	var boostedStatus *gtsmodel.Status
-
-	if boostedURI.Host == config.GetHost() {
+	if targetURIObj.Host == config.GetHost() {
 		// This is a local status, fetch from the database
-		status, err := d.state.DB.GetStatusByURI(ctx, boostedURI.String())
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("DereferenceAnnounce: error fetching local status %q: %v", announce.BoostOf.URI, err)
-		}
-
-		// Set boosted status
-		boostedStatus = status
+		target, err = d.state.DB.GetStatusByURI(ctx, targetURI)
 	} else {
-		// This is a boost of a remote status, we need to dereference it.
-		status, _, err := d.GetStatusByURI(ctx, requestingUsername, boostedURI)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("DereferenceAnnounce: error dereferencing remote status with id %s: %s", announce.BoostOf.URI, err)
-		}
-
-		// Set boosted status
-		boostedStatus = status
+		// This is a remote status, we need to dereference it.
+		//
+		// d.GetStatusByURI will handle domain block checking for us,
+		// so we don't try to deref an announce target on a blocked host.
+		target, _, err = d.GetStatusByURI(ctx, requestUser, targetURIObj)
 	}
 
-	announce.Content = boostedStatus.Content
-	announce.ContentWarning = boostedStatus.ContentWarning
-	announce.ActivityStreamsType = boostedStatus.ActivityStreamsType
-	announce.Sensitive = boostedStatus.Sensitive
-	announce.Language = boostedStatus.Language
-	announce.Text = boostedStatus.Text
-	announce.BoostOfID = boostedStatus.ID
-	announce.BoostOfAccountID = boostedStatus.AccountID
-	announce.Visibility = boostedStatus.Visibility
-	announce.Federated = boostedStatus.Federated
-	announce.Boostable = boostedStatus.Boostable
-	announce.Replyable = boostedStatus.Replyable
-	announce.Likeable = boostedStatus.Likeable
-	announce.BoostOf = boostedStatus
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, gtserror.Newf(
+			"error getting boost target status %s: %w",
+			targetURI, err,
+		)
+	}
 
-	return nil
+	// Generate an ID for the boost wrapper status.
+	boost.ID, err = id.NewULIDFromTime(boost.CreatedAt)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, gtserror.Newf("error generating id: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Populate remaining fields on
+	// the boost wrapper using target.
+	boost.Content = target.Content
+	boost.ContentWarning = target.ContentWarning
+	boost.ActivityStreamsType = target.ActivityStreamsType
+	boost.Sensitive = target.Sensitive
+	boost.Language = target.Language
+	boost.Text = target.Text
+	boost.BoostOfID = target.ID
+	boost.BoostOf = target
+	boost.BoostOfAccountID = target.AccountID
+	boost.BoostOfAccount = target.Account
+	boost.Visibility = target.Visibility
+	boost.Federated = target.Federated
+	boost.Boostable = target.Boostable
+	boost.Replyable = target.Replyable
+	boost.Likeable = target.Likeable
+
+	// Store the boost wrapper status.
+	switch err = d.state.DB.PutStatus(ctx, boost); {
+	case err == nil:
+		// All good baby.
+
+	case errors.Is(err, db.ErrAlreadyExists):
+		// DATA RACE! We likely lost out to another goroutine
+		// in a call to db.Put(Status). Look again in DB by URI.
+		boost, err = d.state.DB.GetStatusByURI(ctx, boost.URI)
+		if err != nil {
+			err = gtserror.Newf(
+				"error getting boost wrapper status %s from database after race: %w",
+				boost.URI, err,
+			)
+		}
+
+	default:
+		// Proper database error.
+		err = gtserror.Newf("db error inserting status: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return boost, err
 }
diff --git a/internal/federation/federatingdb/announce_test.go b/internal/federation/federatingdb/announce_test.go
index ae5213f66..d8de2e49c 100644
--- a/internal/federation/federatingdb/announce_test.go
+++ b/internal/federation/federatingdb/announce_test.go
@@ -50,8 +50,10 @@ func (suite *AnnounceTestSuite) TestNewAnnounce() {
 	suite.True(ok)
 	suite.Equal(announcingAccount.ID, boost.AccountID)
 
-	// only the URI will be set on the boosted status because it still needs to be dereferenced
-	suite.NotEmpty(boost.BoostOf.URI)
+	// only the URI will be set for the boosted status
+	// because it still needs to be dereferenced
+	suite.Nil(boost.BoostOf)
+	suite.Equal("http://example.org/users/Some_User/statuses/afaba698-5740-4e32-a702-af61aa543bc1", boost.BoostOfURI)
 }
 
 func (suite *AnnounceTestSuite) TestAnnounceTwice() {
@@ -81,8 +83,10 @@ func (suite *AnnounceTestSuite) TestAnnounceTwice() {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	// only the URI will be set on the boosted status because it still needs to be dereferenced
-	suite.NotEmpty(boost.BoostOf.URI)
+	// only the URI will be set for the boosted status
+	// because it still needs to be dereferenced
+	suite.Nil(boost.BoostOf)
+	suite.Equal("http://example.org/users/Some_User/statuses/afaba698-5740-4e32-a702-af61aa543bc1", boost.BoostOfURI)
 
 	ctx2 := createTestContext(receivingAccount2, announcingAccount)
 	announce2 := suite.testActivities["announce_forwarded_1_turtle"]
diff --git a/internal/gtsmodel/status.go b/internal/gtsmodel/status.go
index 9b93e34a1..79c67c933 100644
--- a/internal/gtsmodel/status.go
+++ b/internal/gtsmodel/status.go
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ type Status struct {
 	InReplyTo                *Status            `bun:"-"`                                                           // status corresponding to inReplyToID
 	InReplyToAccount         *Account           `bun:"rel:belongs-to"`                                              // account corresponding to inReplyToAccountID
 	BoostOfID                string             `bun:"type:CHAR(26),nullzero"`                                      // id of the status this status is a boost of
+	BoostOfURI               string             `bun:"-"`                                                           // URI of the status this status is a boost of; field not inserted in the db, just for dereferencing purposes.
 	BoostOfAccountID         string             `bun:"type:CHAR(26),nullzero"`                                      // id of the account that owns the boosted status
 	BoostOf                  *Status            `bun:"-"`                                                           // status that corresponds to boostOfID
 	BoostOfAccount           *Account           `bun:"rel:belongs-to"`                                              // account that corresponds to boostOfAccountID
diff --git a/internal/processing/common/status.go b/internal/processing/common/status.go
index 233c1c867..0a1f495fb 100644
--- a/internal/processing/common/status.go
+++ b/internal/processing/common/status.go
@@ -119,6 +119,25 @@ func (p *Processor) GetVisibleTargetStatus(
 	return target, nil
 }
 
+// UnwrapIfBoost "unwraps" the given status if
+// it's a boost wrapper, by returning the boosted
+// status it targets (pending visibility checks).
+//
+// Just returns the input status if it's not a boost.
+func (p *Processor) UnwrapIfBoost(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
+	status *gtsmodel.Status,
+) (*gtsmodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
+	if status.BoostOfID == "" {
+		return status, nil
+	}
+
+	return p.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		requester, status.BoostOfID,
+	)
+}
+
 // GetAPIStatus fetches the appropriate API status model for target.
 func (p *Processor) GetAPIStatus(
 	ctx context.Context,
diff --git a/internal/processing/fedi/status.go b/internal/processing/fedi/status.go
index 8082c79bc..1c1af9cb4 100644
--- a/internal/processing/fedi/status.go
+++ b/internal/processing/fedi/status.go
@@ -51,6 +51,11 @@ func (p *Processor) StatusGet(ctx context.Context, requestedUser string, statusI
 		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(errors.New(text))
 	}
 
+	if status.BoostOfID != "" {
+		const text = "status is a boost wrapper"
+		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(errors.New(text))
+	}
+
 	visible, err := p.filter.StatusVisible(ctx, requester, status)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(err)
@@ -106,6 +111,11 @@ func (p *Processor) StatusRepliesGet(
 		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(errors.New(text))
 	}
 
+	if status.BoostOfID != "" {
+		const text = "status is a boost wrapper"
+		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(errors.New(text))
+	}
+
 	// Parse replies collection ID from status' URI with onlyOtherAccounts param.
 	onlyOtherAccStr := "only_other_accounts=" + strconv.FormatBool(onlyOtherAccounts)
 	collectionID, err := url.Parse(status.URI + "/replies?" + onlyOtherAccStr)
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/boost.go b/internal/processing/status/boost.go
index 76a0a75bc..2062fb802 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/boost.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/boost.go
@@ -30,106 +30,125 @@
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/messages"
 )
 
-// BoostCreate processes the boost/reblog of a given status, returning the newly-created boost if all is well.
-func (p *Processor) BoostCreate(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, application *gtsmodel.Application, targetStatusID string) (*apimodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, err := p.state.DB.GetStatusByID(ctx, targetStatusID)
+// BoostCreate processes the boost/reblog of target
+// status, returning the newly-created boost.
+func (p *Processor) BoostCreate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
+	application *gtsmodel.Application,
+	targetID string,
+) (*apimodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
+	// Get target status and ensure it's not a boost.
+	target, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(
+		ctx,
+		requester,
+		targetID,
+	)
+	if errWithCode != nil {
+		return nil, errWithCode
+	}
+
+	target, errWithCode = p.c.UnwrapIfBoost(
+		ctx,
+		requester,
+		target,
+	)
+	if errWithCode != nil {
+		return nil, errWithCode
+	}
+
+	// Ensure valid boost target.
+	boostable, err := p.filter.StatusBoostable(ctx,
+		requester,
+		target,
+	)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("error fetching status %s: %s", targetStatusID, err))
-	}
-	if targetStatus.Account == nil {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("no status owner for status %s", targetStatusID))
+		err := gtserror.Newf("error seeing if status %s is boostable: %w", target.ID, err)
+		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(err)
 	}
 
-	// if targetStatusID refers to a boost, then we should redirect
-	// the target to being the status that was boosted; if we don't
-	// do this, then we end up in weird situations where people
-	// boost boosts, and it looks absolutely bizarre in the UI
-	if targetStatus.BoostOfID != "" {
-		if targetStatus.BoostOf == nil {
-			b, err := p.state.DB.GetStatusByID(ctx, targetStatus.BoostOfID)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("couldn't fetch boosted status %s", targetStatus.BoostOfID))
-			}
-			targetStatus.BoostOf = b
-		}
-		targetStatus = targetStatus.BoostOf
+	if !boostable {
+		err := gtserror.New("status is not boostable")
+		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(err)
 	}
 
-	boostable, err := p.filter.StatusBoostable(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatus)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("error seeing if status %s is boostable: %s", targetStatus.ID, err))
-	} else if !boostable {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(errors.New("status is not boostable"))
-	}
-
-	// it's visible! it's boostable! so let's boost the FUCK out of it
-	boostWrapperStatus, err := p.converter.StatusToBoost(ctx, targetStatus, requestingAccount)
+	// Status is visible and boostable.
+	boost, err := p.converter.StatusToBoost(ctx,
+		target,
+		requester,
+		application.ID,
+	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(err)
 	}
 
-	boostWrapperStatus.CreatedWithApplicationID = application.ID
-	boostWrapperStatus.BoostOfAccount = targetStatus.Account
-
-	// put the boost in the database
-	if err := p.state.DB.PutStatus(ctx, boostWrapperStatus); err != nil {
+	// Store the new boost.
+	if err := p.state.DB.PutStatus(ctx, boost); err != nil {
 		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(err)
 	}
 
-	// send it back to the processor for async processing
+	// Process side effects asynchronously.
 	p.state.Workers.EnqueueClientAPI(ctx, messages.FromClientAPI{
 		APObjectType:   ap.ActivityAnnounce,
 		APActivityType: ap.ActivityCreate,
-		GTSModel:       boostWrapperStatus,
-		OriginAccount:  requestingAccount,
-		TargetAccount:  targetStatus.Account,
+		GTSModel:       boost,
+		OriginAccount:  requester,
+		TargetAccount:  target.Account,
 	})
 
-	return p.c.GetAPIStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, boostWrapperStatus)
+	return p.c.GetAPIStatus(ctx, requester, boost)
 }
 
-// BoostRemove processes the unboost/unreblog of a given status, returning the status if all is well.
-func (p *Processor) BoostRemove(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, application *gtsmodel.Application, targetStatusID string) (*apimodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, err := p.state.DB.GetStatusByID(ctx, targetStatusID)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("error fetching status %s: %s", targetStatusID, err))
-	}
-	if targetStatus.Account == nil {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("no status owner for status %s", targetStatusID))
+// BoostRemove processes the unboost/unreblog of
+// target status, returning the target status.
+func (p *Processor) BoostRemove(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
+	application *gtsmodel.Application,
+	targetID string,
+) (*apimodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
+	// Get target status and ensure it's not a boost.
+	target, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(
+		ctx,
+		requester,
+		targetID,
+	)
+	if errWithCode != nil {
+		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
 
-	visible, err := p.filter.StatusVisible(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatus)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("error seeing if status %s is visible: %s", targetStatus.ID, err))
-	}
-	if !visible {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(errors.New("status is not visible"))
+	target, errWithCode = p.c.UnwrapIfBoost(
+		ctx,
+		requester,
+		target,
+	)
+	if errWithCode != nil {
+		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
 
-	// Check whether the requesting account has boosted the given status ID.
-	boost, err := p.state.DB.GetStatusBoost(ctx, targetStatusID, requestingAccount.ID)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(fmt.Errorf("error checking status boost %s: %w", targetStatusID, err))
+	// Check whether requester has actually
+	// boosted target, by trying to get the boost.
+	boost, err := p.state.DB.GetStatusBoost(ctx,
+		target.ID,
+		requester.ID,
+	)
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, db.ErrNoEntries) {
+		err = gtserror.Newf("db error getting boost of %s: %w", target.ID, err)
+		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(err)
 	}
 
 	if boost != nil {
-		// pin some stuff onto the boost while we have it out of the db
-		boost.Account = requestingAccount
-		boost.BoostOf = targetStatus
-		boost.BoostOfAccount = targetStatus.Account
-		boost.BoostOf.Account = targetStatus.Account
-
-		// send it back to the processor for async processing
+		// Status was boosted. Process unboost side effects asynchronously.
 		p.state.Workers.EnqueueClientAPI(ctx, messages.FromClientAPI{
 			APObjectType:   ap.ActivityAnnounce,
 			APActivityType: ap.ActivityUndo,
 			GTSModel:       boost,
-			OriginAccount:  requestingAccount,
-			TargetAccount:  targetStatus.Account,
+			OriginAccount:  requester,
+			TargetAccount:  target.Account,
 		})
 	}
 
-	return p.c.GetAPIStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatus)
+	return p.c.GetAPIStatus(ctx, requester, target)
 }
 
 // StatusBoostedBy returns a slice of accounts that have boosted the given status, filtered according to privacy settings.
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/fave.go b/internal/processing/status/fave.go
index a16fb6620..dbeba7fe9 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/fave.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/fave.go
@@ -33,24 +33,46 @@
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/uris"
 )
 
-func (p *Processor) getFaveableStatus(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, targetStatusID string) (*gtsmodel.Status, *gtsmodel.StatusFave, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatusID)
+func (p *Processor) getFaveableStatus(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
+	targetID string,
+) (
+	*gtsmodel.Status,
+	*gtsmodel.StatusFave,
+	gtserror.WithCode,
+) {
+	// Get target status and ensure it's not a boost.
+	target, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(
+		ctx,
+		requester,
+		targetID,
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, nil, errWithCode
 	}
 
-	if !*targetStatus.Likeable {
+	target, errWithCode = p.c.UnwrapIfBoost(
+		ctx,
+		requester,
+		target,
+	)
+	if errWithCode != nil {
+		return nil, nil, errWithCode
+	}
+
+	if !*target.Likeable {
 		err := errors.New("status is not faveable")
 		return nil, nil, gtserror.NewErrorForbidden(err, err.Error())
 	}
 
-	fave, err := p.state.DB.GetStatusFave(ctx, requestingAccount.ID, targetStatusID)
+	fave, err := p.state.DB.GetStatusFave(ctx, requester.ID, target.ID)
 	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, db.ErrNoEntries) {
 		err = fmt.Errorf("getFaveTarget: error checking existing fave: %w", err)
 		return nil, nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(err)
 	}
 
-	return targetStatus, fave, nil
+	return target, fave, nil
 }
 
 // FaveCreate adds a fave for the requestingAccount, targeting the given status (no-op if fave already exists).
diff --git a/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi.go b/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi.go
index 4c5c85666..d04e4ab8d 100644
--- a/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi.go
+++ b/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi.go
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtscontext"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/id"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/log"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/messages"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/processing/account"
@@ -332,45 +331,44 @@ func (p *fediAPI) CreateLike(ctx context.Context, fMsg messages.FromFediAPI) err
 }
 
 func (p *fediAPI) CreateAnnounce(ctx context.Context, fMsg messages.FromFediAPI) error {
-	status, ok := fMsg.GTSModel.(*gtsmodel.Status)
+	boost, ok := fMsg.GTSModel.(*gtsmodel.Status)
 	if !ok {
 		return gtserror.Newf("%T not parseable as *gtsmodel.Status", fMsg.GTSModel)
 	}
 
 	// Dereference status that this boosts, note
-	// that this will handle dereferencing the status
+	// that this will handle storing the boost in
+	// the db, and dereferencing the target status
 	// ancestors / descendants where appropriate.
-	if err := p.federate.DereferenceAnnounce(ctx,
-		status,
+	var err error
+	boost, err = p.federate.EnrichAnnounce(
+		ctx,
+		boost,
 		fMsg.ReceivingAccount.Username,
-	); err != nil {
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		if gtserror.IsUnretrievable(err) {
+			// Boosted status domain blocked, nothing to do.
+			log.Debugf(ctx, "skipping announce: %v", err)
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		// Actual error.
 		return gtserror.Newf("error dereferencing announce: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Generate an ID for the boost wrapper status.
-	statusID, err := id.NewULIDFromTime(status.CreatedAt)
-	if err != nil {
-		return gtserror.Newf("error generating id: %w", err)
-	}
-	status.ID = statusID
-
-	// Store the boost wrapper status.
-	if err := p.state.DB.PutStatus(ctx, status); err != nil {
-		return gtserror.Newf("db error inserting status: %w", err)
-	}
-
 	// Timeline and notify the announce.
-	if err := p.surface.timelineAndNotifyStatus(ctx, status); err != nil {
+	if err := p.surface.timelineAndNotifyStatus(ctx, boost); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf(ctx, "error timelining and notifying status: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	if err := p.surface.notifyAnnounce(ctx, status); err != nil {
+	if err := p.surface.notifyAnnounce(ctx, boost); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf(ctx, "error notifying announce: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Interaction counts changed on the original status;
 	// uncache the prepared version from all timelines.
-	p.surface.invalidateStatusFromTimelines(ctx, status.ID)
+	p.surface.invalidateStatusFromTimelines(ctx, boost.BoostOfID)
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi_test.go b/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi_test.go
index 952c008cc..799eaf2dc 100644
--- a/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi_test.go
+++ b/internal/processing/workers/fromfediapi_test.go
@@ -45,9 +45,7 @@ func (suite *FromFediAPITestSuite) TestProcessFederationAnnounce() {
 	boostingAccount := suite.testAccounts["remote_account_1"]
 	announceStatus := &gtsmodel.Status{}
 	announceStatus.URI = "https://example.org/some-announce-uri"
-	announceStatus.BoostOf = &gtsmodel.Status{
-		URI: boostedStatus.URI,
-	}
+	announceStatus.BoostOfURI = boostedStatus.URI
 	announceStatus.CreatedAt = time.Now()
 	announceStatus.UpdatedAt = time.Now()
 	announceStatus.AccountID = boostingAccount.ID
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/astointernal.go b/internal/typeutils/astointernal.go
index ad42a687d..5bcb35d75 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/astointernal.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/astointernal.go
@@ -527,29 +527,15 @@ func (c *Converter) ASBlockToBlock(ctx context.Context, blockable ap.Blockable)
 	}, nil
 }
 
-// ASAnnounceToStatus converts an activitystreams 'announce' into a status.
-//
-// The returned bool indicates whether this status is new (true) or not new (false).
-//
-// In other words, if the status is already in the database with the ID set on the announceable, then that will be returned,
-// the returned bool will be false, and no further processing is necessary. If the returned bool is true, indicating
-// that this is a new announce, then further processing will be necessary, because the returned status will be bareboned and
-// require further dereferencing.
-//
-// This is useful when multiple users on an instance might receive the same boost, and we only want to process the boost once.
-//
-// NOTE -- this is different from one status being boosted multiple times! In this case, new boosts should indeed be created.
-//
-// Implementation note: this function creates and returns a boost WRAPPER
-// status which references the boosted status in its BoostOf field. No
-// dereferencing is done on the boosted status by this function. Callers
-// should look at `status.BoostOf` to see the status being boosted, and do
-// dereferencing on it as appropriate.
-//
-// The returned boolean indicates whether or not the boost has already been
-// seen before by this instance. If it was, then status.BoostOf should be a
-// fully filled-out status. If not, then only status.BoostOf.URI will be set.
-func (c *Converter) ASAnnounceToStatus(ctx context.Context, announceable ap.Announceable) (*gtsmodel.Status, bool, error) {
+// ASAnnounceToStatus converts an activitystreams 'announce' into a boost
+// wrapper status. The returned bool indicates whether this boost is new
+// (true) or not. If new, callers should use `status.BoostOfURI` to see the
+// status being boosted, and do dereferencing on it as appropriate. If not
+// new, then the boost has already been fully processed and can be ignored.
+func (c *Converter) ASAnnounceToStatus(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	announceable ap.Announceable,
+) (*gtsmodel.Status, bool, error) {
 	// Default assume
 	// we already have.
 	isNew := false
@@ -565,21 +551,21 @@ func (c *Converter) ASAnnounceToStatus(ctx context.Context, announceable ap.Anno
 	uri := uriObj.String()
 
 	// Check if we already have this boost in the database.
-	status, err := c.state.DB.GetStatusByURI(ctx, uri)
+	boost, err := c.state.DB.GetStatusByURI(ctx, uri)
 	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, db.ErrNoEntries) {
 		err = gtserror.Newf("db error trying to get status with uri %s: %w", uri, err)
 		return nil, isNew, err
 	}
 
-	if status != nil {
-		// We already have this status,
+	if boost != nil {
+		// We already have this boost,
 		// no need to proceed further.
-		return status, isNew, nil
+		return boost, isNew, nil
 	}
 
-	// Create DB status with URI
-	status = new(gtsmodel.Status)
-	status.URI = uri
+	// Create boost with URI
+	boost = new(gtsmodel.Status)
+	boost.URI = uri
 	isNew = true
 
 	// Get the URI of the boosted status.
@@ -590,22 +576,21 @@ func (c *Converter) ASAnnounceToStatus(ctx context.Context, announceable ap.Anno
 	}
 
 	// Set the URI of the boosted status on
-	// the new status, for later dereferencing.
-	status.BoostOf = new(gtsmodel.Status)
-	status.BoostOf.URI = boostOf[0].String()
+	// the boost, for later dereferencing.
+	boost.BoostOfURI = boostOf[0].String()
 
 	// Extract published time for the boost,
 	// zero-time will fall back to db defaults.
 	if pub := ap.GetPublished(announceable); !pub.IsZero() {
-		status.CreatedAt = pub
-		status.UpdatedAt = pub
+		boost.CreatedAt = pub
+		boost.UpdatedAt = pub
 	} else {
 		log.Warnf(ctx, "unusable published property on %s", uri)
 	}
 
 	// Extract and load the boost actor account,
 	// (this MUST already be in database by now).
-	status.Account, err = c.getASActorAccount(ctx,
+	boost.Account, err = c.getASActorAccount(ctx,
 		uri,
 		announceable,
 	)
@@ -614,13 +599,13 @@ func (c *Converter) ASAnnounceToStatus(ctx context.Context, announceable ap.Anno
 	}
 
 	// Set the related status<->account fields.
-	status.AccountURI = status.Account.URI
-	status.AccountID = status.Account.ID
+	boost.AccountURI = boost.Account.URI
+	boost.AccountID = boost.Account.ID
 
 	// Calculate intended visibility of the boost.
-	status.Visibility, err = ap.ExtractVisibility(
+	boost.Visibility, err = ap.ExtractVisibility(
 		announceable,
-		status.Account.FollowersURI,
+		boost.Account.FollowersURI,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		err := gtserror.Newf("error extracting status visibility for %s: %w", uri, err)
@@ -629,15 +614,15 @@ func (c *Converter) ASAnnounceToStatus(ctx context.Context, announceable ap.Anno
 
 	// Below IDs will all be included in the
 	// boosted status, so set them empty here.
-	status.AttachmentIDs = make([]string, 0)
-	status.TagIDs = make([]string, 0)
-	status.MentionIDs = make([]string, 0)
-	status.EmojiIDs = make([]string, 0)
+	boost.AttachmentIDs = make([]string, 0)
+	boost.TagIDs = make([]string, 0)
+	boost.MentionIDs = make([]string, 0)
+	boost.EmojiIDs = make([]string, 0)
 
-	// Remaining fields on the boost status will be taken
-	// from the boosted status; it's not our job to do all
-	// that dereferencing here.
-	return status, isNew, nil
+	// Remaining fields on the boost will be
+	// taken from the target status; it's not
+	// our job to do all that dereferencing here.
+	return boost, isNew, nil
 }
 
 // ASFlagToReport converts a remote activitystreams 'flag' representation into a gts model report.
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go b/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go
index 40bf4c855..4be2434e5 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/astointernal_test.go
@@ -463,6 +463,46 @@ func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) TestParseFlag6() {
 	suite.Equal(report.Comment, "misinformation")
 }
 
+func (suite *ASToInternalTestSuite) TestParseAnnounce() {
+	// Boost a status that belongs to a local account
+	boostingAccount := suite.testAccounts["remote_account_1"]
+	targetStatus := suite.testStatuses["local_account_2_status_1"]
+	receivingAccount := suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"]
+
+	raw := `{
+  "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+  "actor": "` + boostingAccount.URI + `",
+  "id": "http://fossbros-anonymous.io/db22128d-884e-4358-9935-6a7c3940535d",
+  "object": ["` + targetStatus.URI + `"],
+  "type": "Announce",
+  "to": "` + receivingAccount.URI + `"
+  }`
+
+	t := suite.jsonToType(raw)
+	asAnnounce, ok := t.(ap.Announceable)
+	if !ok {
+		suite.FailNow("type not coercible")
+	}
+
+	boost, isNew, err := suite.typeconverter.ASAnnounceToStatus(context.Background(), asAnnounce)
+	if err != nil {
+		suite.FailNow(err.Error())
+	}
+
+	suite.True(isNew)
+	suite.NotNil(boost)
+	suite.Equal(boostingAccount.ID, boost.AccountID)
+	suite.NotNil(boost.Account)
+
+	// Of the 'BoostOf' fields, only BoostOfURI will be set.
+	// Others are set in dereferencing.EnrichAnnounceSafely.
+	suite.Equal(targetStatus.URI, boost.BoostOfURI)
+	suite.Empty(boost.BoostOfID)
+	suite.Nil(boost.BoostOf)
+	suite.Empty(boost.BoostOfAccountID)
+	suite.Nil(boost.BoostOfAccount)
+}
+
 func TestASToInternalTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
 	suite.Run(t, new(ASToInternalTestSuite))
 }
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/internal.go b/internal/typeutils/internal.go
index 1824a4421..095e2b121 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/internal.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/internal.go
@@ -19,90 +19,86 @@
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"time"
 
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/id"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/uris"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
 )
 
-// FollowRequestToFollow just converts a follow request into a follow, that's it! No bells and whistles.
-func (c *Converter) FollowRequestToFollow(ctx context.Context, f *gtsmodel.FollowRequest) *gtsmodel.Follow {
-	showReblogs := *f.ShowReblogs
-	notify := *f.Notify
+// FollowRequestToFollow just converts a follow request
+// into a follow, that's it! No bells and whistles.
+func (c *Converter) FollowRequestToFollow(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	fr *gtsmodel.FollowRequest,
+) *gtsmodel.Follow {
 	return &gtsmodel.Follow{
-		ID:              f.ID,
-		CreatedAt:       f.CreatedAt,
-		UpdatedAt:       f.UpdatedAt,
-		AccountID:       f.AccountID,
-		TargetAccountID: f.TargetAccountID,
-		ShowReblogs:     &showReblogs,
-		URI:             f.URI,
-		Notify:          &notify,
+		ID:              fr.ID,
+		CreatedAt:       fr.CreatedAt,
+		UpdatedAt:       fr.UpdatedAt,
+		AccountID:       fr.AccountID,
+		TargetAccountID: fr.TargetAccountID,
+		ShowReblogs:     util.Ptr(*fr.ShowReblogs),
+		URI:             fr.URI,
+		Notify:          util.Ptr(*fr.Notify),
 	}
 }
 
-// StatusToBoost wraps the given status into a boosting status.
-func (c *Converter) StatusToBoost(ctx context.Context, s *gtsmodel.Status, boostingAccount *gtsmodel.Account) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
-	// the wrapper won't use the same ID as the boosted status so we generate some new UUIDs
-	accountURIs := uris.GenerateURIsForAccount(boostingAccount.Username)
-	boostWrapperStatusID := id.NewULID()
-	boostWrapperStatusURI := accountURIs.StatusesURI + "/" + boostWrapperStatusID
-	boostWrapperStatusURL := accountURIs.StatusesURL + "/" + boostWrapperStatusID
+// StatusToBoost wraps the target status into a
+// boost wrapper status owned by the requester.
+func (c *Converter) StatusToBoost(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	target *gtsmodel.Status,
+	booster *gtsmodel.Account,
+	applicationID string,
+) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
+	// The boost won't use the same IDs as the
+	// target so we need to generate new ones.
+	boostID := id.NewULID()
+	accountURIs := uris.GenerateURIsForAccount(booster.Username)
 
-	local := true
-	if boostingAccount.Domain != "" {
-		local = false
-	}
+	boost := &gtsmodel.Status{
+		ID:  boostID,
+		URI: accountURIs.StatusesURI + "/" + boostID,
+		URL: accountURIs.StatusesURL + "/" + boostID,
 
-	sensitive := *s.Sensitive
-	federated := *s.Federated
-	boostable := *s.Boostable
-	replyable := *s.Replyable
-	likeable := *s.Likeable
+		// Inherit some fields from the booster account.
+		Local:                    util.Ptr(booster.IsLocal()),
+		AccountID:                booster.ID,
+		Account:                  booster,
+		AccountURI:               booster.URI,
+		CreatedWithApplicationID: applicationID,
 
-	boostWrapperStatus := &gtsmodel.Status{
-		ID:  boostWrapperStatusID,
-		URI: boostWrapperStatusURI,
-		URL: boostWrapperStatusURL,
-
-		// the boosted status is not created now, but the boost certainly is
-		CreatedAt:  time.Now(),
-		UpdatedAt:  time.Now(),
-		Local:      &local,
-		AccountID:  boostingAccount.ID,
-		AccountURI: boostingAccount.URI,
-
-		// replies can be boosted, but boosts are never replies
+		// Replies can be boosted, but
+		// boosts are never replies.
 		InReplyToID:        "",
 		InReplyToAccountID: "",
 
-		// these will all be wrapped in the boosted status so set them empty here
+		// These will all be wrapped in the
+		// boosted status so set them empty.
 		AttachmentIDs: []string{},
 		TagIDs:        []string{},
 		MentionIDs:    []string{},
 		EmojiIDs:      []string{},
 
-		// the below fields will be taken from the target status
-		Content:             s.Content,
-		ContentWarning:      s.ContentWarning,
-		ActivityStreamsType: s.ActivityStreamsType,
-		Sensitive:           &sensitive,
-		Language:            s.Language,
-		Text:                s.Text,
-		BoostOfID:           s.ID,
-		BoostOfAccountID:    s.AccountID,
-		Visibility:          s.Visibility,
-		Federated:           &federated,
-		Boostable:           &boostable,
-		Replyable:           &replyable,
-		Likeable:            &likeable,
-
-		// attach these here for convenience -- the boosted status/account won't go in the DB
-		// but they're needed in the processor and for the frontend. Since we have them, we can
-		// attach them so we don't need to fetch them again later (save some DB calls)
-		BoostOf: s,
+		// Remaining fields all
+		// taken from boosted status.
+		Content:             target.Content,
+		ContentWarning:      target.ContentWarning,
+		ActivityStreamsType: target.ActivityStreamsType,
+		Sensitive:           util.Ptr(*target.Sensitive),
+		Language:            target.Language,
+		Text:                target.Text,
+		BoostOfID:           target.ID,
+		BoostOf:             target,
+		BoostOfAccountID:    target.AccountID,
+		BoostOfAccount:      target.Account,
+		Visibility:          target.Visibility,
+		Federated:           util.Ptr(*target.Federated),
+		Boostable:           util.Ptr(*target.Boostable),
+		Replyable:           util.Ptr(*target.Replyable),
+		Likeable:            util.Ptr(*target.Likeable),
 	}
 
-	return boostWrapperStatus, nil
+	return boost, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go b/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go
index 0e0607279..cbeaf3c8c 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/internaltoas_test.go
@@ -724,10 +724,11 @@ func (suite *InternalToASTestSuite) TestSelfBoostFollowersOnlyToAS() {
 	testStatus := suite.testStatuses["local_account_1_status_5"]
 	testAccount := suite.testAccounts["local_account_1"]
 
-	boostWrapperStatus, err := suite.typeconverter.StatusToBoost(ctx, testStatus, testAccount)
+	boostWrapperStatus, err := suite.typeconverter.StatusToBoost(ctx, testStatus, testAccount, "")
 	suite.NoError(err)
 	suite.NotNil(boostWrapperStatus)
 
+	// Set some fields to predictable values for the test.
 	boostWrapperStatus.ID = "01G74JJ1KS331G2JXHRMZCE0ER"
 	boostWrapperStatus.URI = "http://localhost:8080/users/the_mighty_zork/statuses/01G74JJ1KS331G2JXHRMZCE0ER"
 	boostWrapperStatus.CreatedAt = testrig.TimeMustParse("2022-06-09T13:12:00Z")
diff --git a/internal/typeutils/internaltofrontend.go b/internal/typeutils/internaltofrontend.go
index cd53d9ae6..fe5c8ec8f 100644
--- a/internal/typeutils/internaltofrontend.go
+++ b/internal/typeutils/internaltofrontend.go
@@ -733,11 +733,18 @@ func (c *Converter) statusToFrontend(
 	s *gtsmodel.Status,
 	requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account,
 ) (*apimodel.Status, error) {
+	// Try to populate status struct pointer fields.
+	// We can continue in many cases of partial failure,
+	// but there are some fields we actually need.
 	if err := c.state.DB.PopulateStatus(ctx, s); err != nil {
-		// Ensure author account present + correct;
-		// can't really go further without this!
 		if s.Account == nil {
-			return nil, gtserror.Newf("error(s) populating status, cannot continue: %w", err)
+			err = gtserror.Newf("error(s) populating status, cannot continue (status.Account not set): %w", err)
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		if s.BoostOfID != "" && s.BoostOf == nil {
+			err = gtserror.Newf("error(s) populating status, cannot continue (status.BoostOfID set, but status.Boost not set): %w", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
 
 		log.Errorf(ctx, "error(s) populating status, will continue: %v", err)
@@ -794,12 +801,12 @@ func (c *Converter) statusToFrontend(
 	apiStatus := &apimodel.Status{
 		ID:                 s.ID,
 		CreatedAt:          util.FormatISO8601(s.CreatedAt),
-		InReplyToID:        nil,
-		InReplyToAccountID: nil,
+		InReplyToID:        nil, // Set below.
+		InReplyToAccountID: nil, // Set below.
 		Sensitive:          *s.Sensitive,
 		SpoilerText:        s.ContentWarning,
 		Visibility:         c.VisToAPIVis(ctx, s.Visibility),
-		Language:           nil,
+		Language:           nil, // Set below.
 		URI:                s.URI,
 		URL:                s.URL,
 		RepliesCount:       repliesCount,
@@ -811,56 +818,47 @@ func (c *Converter) statusToFrontend(
 		Reblogged:          interacts.Reblogged,
 		Pinned:             interacts.Pinned,
 		Content:            s.Content,
-		Reblog:             nil,
-		Application:        nil,
+		Reblog:             nil, // Set below.
+		Application:        nil, // Set below.
 		Account:            apiAuthorAccount,
 		MediaAttachments:   apiAttachments,
 		Mentions:           apiMentions,
 		Tags:               apiTags,
 		Emojis:             apiEmojis,
 		Card:               nil, // TODO: implement cards
-		Poll:               nil, // TODO: implement polls
 		Text:               s.Text,
 	}
 
 	// Nullable fields.
-
 	if s.InReplyToID != "" {
-		apiStatus.InReplyToID = func() *string { i := s.InReplyToID; return &i }()
+		apiStatus.InReplyToID = util.Ptr(s.InReplyToID)
 	}
 
 	if s.InReplyToAccountID != "" {
-		apiStatus.InReplyToAccountID = func() *string { i := s.InReplyToAccountID; return &i }()
+		apiStatus.InReplyToAccountID = util.Ptr(s.InReplyToAccountID)
 	}
 
 	if s.Language != "" {
-		apiStatus.Language = func() *string { i := s.Language; return &i }()
+		apiStatus.Language = util.Ptr(s.Language)
 	}
 
 	if s.BoostOf != nil {
-		apiBoostOf, err := c.StatusToAPIStatus(ctx, s.BoostOf, requestingAccount)
+		reblog, err := c.StatusToAPIStatus(ctx, s.BoostOf, requestingAccount)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, gtserror.Newf("error converting boosted status: %w", err)
 		}
 
-		apiStatus.Reblog = &apimodel.StatusReblogged{Status: apiBoostOf}
+		apiStatus.Reblog = &apimodel.StatusReblogged{reblog}
 	}
 
-	if appID := s.CreatedWithApplicationID; appID != "" {
-		app := s.CreatedWithApplication
-		if app == nil {
-			app, err = c.state.DB.GetApplicationByID(ctx, appID)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, gtserror.Newf("error getting application %s: %w", appID, err)
-			}
-		}
-
-		apiApp, err := c.AppToAPIAppPublic(ctx, app)
+	if app := s.CreatedWithApplication; app != nil {
+		apiStatus.Application, err = c.AppToAPIAppPublic(ctx, app)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, gtserror.Newf("error converting application %s: %w", appID, err)
+			return nil, gtserror.Newf(
+				"error converting application %s: %w",
+				s.CreatedWithApplicationID, err,
+			)
 		}
-
-		apiStatus.Application = apiApp
 	}
 
 	if s.Poll != nil {
diff --git a/internal/web/thread.go b/internal/web/thread.go
index 523cf7579..20145cfcd 100644
--- a/internal/web/thread.go
+++ b/internal/web/thread.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 	"strings"
@@ -124,6 +125,13 @@ func (m *Module) threadGETHandler(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
+	// Don't render boosts/reblogs as top-level statuses.
+	if status.Reblog != nil {
+		err := errors.New("status is a boost wrapper / reblog")
+		apiutil.WebErrorHandler(c, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(err), instanceGet)
+		return
+	}
+
 	// Fill in the rest of the thread context.
 	context, errWithCode := m.processor.Status().WebContextGet(ctx, targetStatusID)
 	if errWithCode != nil {