diff --git a/html.c b/html.c
index 0fe4ad8..98ae4a5 100644
--- a/html.c
+++ b/html.c
@@ -843,10 +843,9 @@ xs_str *html_entry(snac *snac, xs_str *os, const xs_dict *msg, int local,
     int sensitive = 0;
     char *v;
     xs *boosts = NULL;
-    int is_public = is_msg_public(snac, msg);
 
     /* do not show non-public messages in the public timeline */
-    if (local && !is_public)
+    if (local && !is_msg_public(snac, msg))
         return os;
 
     /* hidden? do nothing more for this conversation */
@@ -857,20 +856,6 @@ xs_str *html_entry(snac *snac, xs_str *os, const xs_dict *msg, int local,
     if (level >= 256)
         return os;
 
-    if (xs_type(xs_dict_get(snac->config, "hide_followers_only")) == XSTYPE_TRUE) {
-        /* test if this is a non-public message not explicitly for this user */
-        if (!is_public) {
-            const char *to = xs_dict_get(msg, "to");
-            const char *cc = xs_dict_get(msg, "cc");
-
-            if ((xs_is_null(to) || xs_list_in(to, snac->actor) == -1) &&
-                (xs_is_null(cc) || xs_list_in(cc, snac->actor) == -1)) {
-                snac_debug(snac, 0, xs_fmt("hidden message %s for followers only (%s)", id, md5));
-                return os;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     xs *s = xs_str_new("<div>\n");
 
     {