diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 69b22f956..959aec106 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -3655,9 +3655,9 @@ checksum = "a156c684c91ea7d62626509bce3cb4e1d9ed5c4d978f7b4352658f96a4c26b4a"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "url"
-version = "2.2.0"
+version = "2.2.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5909f2b0817350449ed73e8bcd81c8c3c8d9a7a5d8acba4b27db277f1868976e"
+checksum = "9ccd964113622c8e9322cfac19eb1004a07e636c545f325da085d5cdde6f1f8b"
 dependencies = [
  "form_urlencoded",
  "idna",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index f76128cb4..e7d92fdf1 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ actix-web = { version = "3.3.2", default-features = false, features = ["rustls"]
 log = "0.4.14"
 env_logger = "0.8.2"
 strum = "0.20.0"
-url = { version = "2.2.0", features = ["serde"] }
+url = { version = "2.2.1", features = ["serde"] }
 openssl = "0.10.32"
 http-signature-normalization-actix = { version = "0.4.1", default-features = false, features = ["sha-2"] }
 tokio = "0.3.6"
diff --git a/crates/api/Cargo.toml b/crates/api/Cargo.toml
index 5ab339584..ea3cd625c 100644
--- a/crates/api/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/api/Cargo.toml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ rand = "0.8.3"
 strum = "0.20.0"
 strum_macros = "0.20.1"
 lazy_static = "1.4.0"
-url = { version = "2.2.0", features = ["serde"] }
+url = { version = "2.2.1", features = ["serde"] }
 openssl = "0.10.32"
 http = "0.2.3"
 http-signature-normalization-actix = { version = "0.4.1", default-features = false, features = ["sha-2"] }
diff --git a/crates/api/src/community.rs b/crates/api/src/community.rs
index 4bfbaeb4a..cee5d3710 100644
--- a/crates/api/src/community.rs
+++ b/crates/api/src/community.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 use crate::{
   check_community_ban,
-  check_optional_url,
   get_user_from_jwt,
   get_user_from_jwt_opt,
   is_admin,
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@ use lemmy_apub::{
   EndpointType,
 };
 use lemmy_db_queries::{
-  diesel_option_overwrite,
+  diesel_option_overwrite_to_url,
   source::{
     comment::Comment_,
     community::{CommunityModerator_, Community_},
@@ -155,11 +154,8 @@ impl Perform for CreateCommunity {
     }
 
     // Check to make sure the icon and banners are urls
-    let icon = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.icon);
-    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.banner);
-
-    check_optional_url(&icon)?;
-    check_optional_url(&banner)?;
+    let icon = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.icon)?;
+    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.banner)?;
 
     // When you create a community, make sure the user becomes a moderator and a follower
     let keypair = generate_actor_keypair()?;
@@ -260,11 +256,8 @@ impl Perform for EditCommunity {
     })
     .await??;
 
-    let icon = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.icon);
-    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.banner);
-
-    check_optional_url(&icon)?;
-    check_optional_url(&banner)?;
+    let icon = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.icon)?;
+    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.banner)?;
 
     let community_form = CommunityForm {
       name: read_community.name,
diff --git a/crates/api/src/lib.rs b/crates/api/src/lib.rs
index 6f4ea8f4d..54d11c1e3 100644
--- a/crates/api/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/api/src/lib.rs
@@ -186,15 +186,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn collect_moderated_communities(
   }
 }
 
-pub(crate) fn check_optional_url(item: &Option<Option<String>>) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
-  if let Some(Some(item)) = &item {
-    if Url::parse(item).is_err() {
-      return Err(ApiError::err("invalid_url").into());
-    }
-  }
-  Ok(())
-}
-
 pub(crate) async fn build_federated_instances(
   pool: &DbPool,
 ) -> Result<Option<FederatedInstances>, LemmyError> {
diff --git a/crates/api/src/post.rs b/crates/api/src/post.rs
index e905cd5cf..202ea30b3 100644
--- a/crates/api/src/post.rs
+++ b/crates/api/src/post.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{
   check_community_ban,
   check_downvotes_enabled,
-  check_optional_url,
   collect_moderated_communities,
   get_user_from_jwt,
   get_user_from_jwt_opt,
@@ -72,15 +71,14 @@ impl Perform for CreatePost {
 
     check_community_ban(user.id, data.community_id, context.pool()).await?;
 
-    check_optional_url(&Some(data.url.to_owned()))?;
-
     // Fetch Iframely and pictrs cached image
+    let data_url = data.url.as_ref();
     let (iframely_title, iframely_description, iframely_html, pictrs_thumbnail) =
-      fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(context.client(), data.url.to_owned()).await;
+      fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(context.client(), data_url).await;
 
     let post_form = PostForm {
       name: data.name.trim().to_owned(),
-      url: data.url.to_owned(),
+      url: data_url.map(|u| u.to_owned().into()),
       body: data.body.to_owned(),
       community_id: data.community_id,
       creator_id: user.id,
@@ -93,7 +91,7 @@ impl Perform for CreatePost {
       embed_title: iframely_title,
       embed_description: iframely_description,
       embed_html: iframely_html,
-      thumbnail_url: pictrs_thumbnail,
+      thumbnail_url: pictrs_thumbnail.map(|u| u.into()),
       ap_id: None,
       local: true,
       published: None,
@@ -385,12 +383,13 @@ impl Perform for EditPost {
     }
 
     // Fetch Iframely and Pictrs cached image
+    let data_url = data.url.as_ref();
     let (iframely_title, iframely_description, iframely_html, pictrs_thumbnail) =
-      fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(context.client(), data.url.to_owned()).await;
+      fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(context.client(), data_url).await;
 
     let post_form = PostForm {
       name: data.name.trim().to_owned(),
-      url: data.url.to_owned(),
+      url: data_url.map(|u| u.to_owned().into()),
       body: data.body.to_owned(),
       nsfw: data.nsfw,
       creator_id: orig_post.creator_id.to_owned(),
@@ -403,7 +402,7 @@ impl Perform for EditPost {
       embed_title: iframely_title,
       embed_description: iframely_description,
       embed_html: iframely_html,
-      thumbnail_url: pictrs_thumbnail,
+      thumbnail_url: pictrs_thumbnail.map(|u| u.into()),
       ap_id: Some(orig_post.ap_id),
       local: orig_post.local,
       published: None,
diff --git a/crates/api/src/site.rs b/crates/api/src/site.rs
index c4792f369..af9d22c41 100644
--- a/crates/api/src/site.rs
+++ b/crates/api/src/site.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,13 @@ use actix_web::web::Data;
 use anyhow::Context;
 use lemmy_api_structs::{blocking, site::*, user::Register};
 use lemmy_apub::fetcher::search::search_by_apub_id;
-use lemmy_db_queries::{diesel_option_overwrite, source::site::Site_, Crud, SearchType, SortType};
+use lemmy_db_queries::{
+  diesel_option_overwrite_to_url,
+  source::site::Site_,
+  Crud,
+  SearchType,
+  SortType,
+};
 use lemmy_db_schema::{
   naive_now,
   source::{
@@ -157,8 +163,8 @@ impl Perform for CreateSite {
     let site_form = SiteForm {
       name: data.name.to_owned(),
       description: data.description.to_owned(),
-      icon: Some(data.icon.to_owned()),
-      banner: Some(data.banner.to_owned()),
+      icon: Some(data.icon.to_owned().map(|url| url.into())),
+      banner: Some(data.banner.to_owned().map(|url| url.into())),
       creator_id: user.id,
       enable_downvotes: data.enable_downvotes,
       open_registration: data.open_registration,
@@ -196,8 +202,8 @@ impl Perform for EditSite {
 
     let found_site = blocking(context.pool(), move |conn| Site::read_simple(conn)).await??;
 
-    let icon = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.icon);
-    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.banner);
+    let icon = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.icon)?;
+    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.banner)?;
 
     let site_form = SiteForm {
       name: data.name.to_owned(),
diff --git a/crates/api/src/user.rs b/crates/api/src/user.rs
index 6d37581e0..903c00e72 100644
--- a/crates/api/src/user.rs
+++ b/crates/api/src/user.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 use crate::{
   captcha_espeak_wav_base64,
-  check_optional_url,
   collect_moderated_communities,
   get_user_from_jwt,
   get_user_from_jwt_opt,
@@ -23,6 +22,7 @@ use lemmy_apub::{
 };
 use lemmy_db_queries::{
   diesel_option_overwrite,
+  diesel_option_overwrite_to_url,
   source::{
     comment::Comment_,
     community::Community_,
@@ -366,17 +366,13 @@ impl Perform for SaveUserSettings {
     let data: &SaveUserSettings = &self;
     let user = get_user_from_jwt(&data.auth, context.pool()).await?;
 
-    let avatar = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.avatar);
-    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.banner);
+    let avatar = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.avatar)?;
+    let banner = diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&data.banner)?;
     let email = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.email);
     let bio = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.bio);
     let preferred_username = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.preferred_username);
     let matrix_user_id = diesel_option_overwrite(&data.matrix_user_id);
 
-    // Check to make sure the avatar and banners are urls
-    check_optional_url(&avatar)?;
-    check_optional_url(&banner)?;
-
     if let Some(Some(bio)) = &bio {
       if bio.chars().count() > 300 {
         return Err(ApiError::err("bio_length_overflow").into());
diff --git a/crates/api_structs/Cargo.toml b/crates/api_structs/Cargo.toml
index fc91e759a..242383e6f 100644
--- a/crates/api_structs/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/api_structs/Cargo.toml
@@ -21,4 +21,4 @@ diesel = "1.4.5"
 actix-web = "3.3.2"
 chrono = { version = "0.4.19", features = ["serde"] }
 serde_json = { version = "1.0.61", features = ["preserve_order"] }
-url = "2.2.0"
+url = "2.2.1"
diff --git a/crates/api_structs/src/post.rs b/crates/api_structs/src/post.rs
index 4e2011e91..82be66170 100644
--- a/crates/api_structs/src/post.rs
+++ b/crates/api_structs/src/post.rs
@@ -8,11 +8,12 @@ use lemmy_db_views_actor::{
   community_view::CommunityView,
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use url::Url;
 
 #[derive(Deserialize, Debug)]
 pub struct CreatePost {
   pub name: String,
-  pub url: Option<String>,
+  pub url: Option<Url>,
   pub body: Option<String>,
   pub nsfw: bool,
   pub community_id: i32,
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ pub struct CreatePostLike {
 pub struct EditPost {
   pub post_id: i32,
   pub name: String,
-  pub url: Option<String>,
+  pub url: Option<Url>,
   pub body: Option<String>,
   pub nsfw: bool,
   pub auth: String,
diff --git a/crates/api_structs/src/site.rs b/crates/api_structs/src/site.rs
index edee17a85..9f69e63bc 100644
--- a/crates/api_structs/src/site.rs
+++ b/crates/api_structs/src/site.rs
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ use lemmy_db_views_moderator::{
   mod_sticky_post_view::ModStickyPostView,
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use url::Url;
 
 #[derive(Deserialize, Debug)]
 pub struct Search {
@@ -60,8 +61,8 @@ pub struct GetModlogResponse {
 pub struct CreateSite {
   pub name: String,
   pub description: Option<String>,
-  pub icon: Option<String>,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub icon: Option<Url>,
+  pub banner: Option<Url>,
   pub enable_downvotes: bool,
   pub open_registration: bool,
   pub enable_nsfw: bool,
diff --git a/crates/apub/Cargo.toml b/crates/apub/Cargo.toml
index d294cbd9d..b0538af6a 100644
--- a/crates/apub/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/apub/Cargo.toml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ rand = "0.8.3"
 strum = "0.20.0"
 strum_macros = "0.20.1"
 lazy_static = "1.4.0"
-url = { version = "2.2.0", features = ["serde"] }
+url = { version = "2.2.1", features = ["serde"] }
 percent-encoding = "2.1.0"
 openssl = "0.10.32"
 http = "0.2.3"
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/http/mod.rs b/crates/apub/src/http/mod.rs
index f117b6ea2..6bf4bbde6 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/http/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/http/mod.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use lemmy_db_schema::source::activity::Activity;
 use lemmy_utils::{settings::structs::Settings, LemmyError};
 use lemmy_websocket::LemmyContext;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use url::Url;
 
 pub mod comment;
 pub mod community;
@@ -46,12 +47,13 @@ pub async fn get_activity(
   context: web::Data<LemmyContext>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse<Body>, LemmyError> {
   let settings = Settings::get();
-  let activity_id = format!(
+  let activity_id = Url::parse(&format!(
     "{}/activities/{}/{}",
     settings.get_protocol_and_hostname(),
     info.type_,
     info.id
-  );
+  ))?
+  .into();
   let activity = blocking(context.pool(), move |conn| {
     Activity::read_from_apub_id(&conn, &activity_id)
   })
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/inbox/mod.rs b/crates/apub/src/inbox/mod.rs
index 2adefabe7..21585aa6a 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/inbox/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/inbox/mod.rs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn is_activity_already_known(
   pool: &DbPool,
   activity_id: &Url,
 ) -> Result<bool, LemmyError> {
-  let activity_id = activity_id.to_string();
+  let activity_id = activity_id.to_owned().into();
   let existing = blocking(pool, move |conn| {
     Activity::read_from_apub_id(&conn, &activity_id)
   })
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/inbox/receive_for_community.rs b/crates/apub/src/inbox/receive_for_community.rs
index 9f8a6d6c1..a3ffbf116 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/inbox/receive_for_community.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/inbox/receive_for_community.rs
@@ -120,9 +120,9 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_like_for_community(
     .as_single_xsd_any_uri()
     .context(location_info!())?;
   match fetch_post_or_comment_by_id(&object_id, context, request_counter).await? {
-    PostOrComment::Post(post) => receive_like_post(like, post, context, request_counter).await,
+    PostOrComment::Post(post) => receive_like_post(like, *post, context, request_counter).await,
     PostOrComment::Comment(comment) => {
-      receive_like_comment(like, comment, context, request_counter).await
+      receive_like_comment(like, *comment, context, request_counter).await
     }
   }
 }
@@ -152,10 +152,10 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_dislike_for_community(
     .context(location_info!())?;
   match fetch_post_or_comment_by_id(&object_id, context, request_counter).await? {
     PostOrComment::Post(post) => {
-      receive_dislike_post(dislike, post, context, request_counter).await
+      receive_dislike_post(dislike, *post, context, request_counter).await
     }
     PostOrComment::Comment(comment) => {
-      receive_dislike_comment(dislike, comment, context, request_counter).await
+      receive_dislike_comment(dislike, *comment, context, request_counter).await
     }
   }
 }
@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_delete_for_community(
     .context(location_info!())?;
 
   match find_post_or_comment_by_id(context, object).await {
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_delete_post(context, p).await,
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_delete_comment(context, c).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_delete_post(context, *p).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_delete_comment(context, *c).await,
     // if we dont have the object, no need to do anything
     Err(_) => Ok(()),
   }
@@ -215,8 +215,8 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_remove_for_community(
   remove.id(community_id.domain().context(location_info!())?)?;
 
   match find_post_or_comment_by_id(context, object).await {
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_remove_post(context, remove, p).await,
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_remove_comment(context, remove, c).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_remove_post(context, remove, *p).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_remove_comment(context, remove, *c).await,
     // if we dont have the object, no need to do anything
     Err(_) => Ok(()),
   }
@@ -276,8 +276,8 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_undo_delete_for_community(
     .single_xsd_any_uri()
     .context(location_info!())?;
   match find_post_or_comment_by_id(context, object).await {
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_undo_delete_post(context, p).await,
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_undo_delete_comment(context, c).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_undo_delete_post(context, *p).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_undo_delete_comment(context, *c).await,
     // if we dont have the object, no need to do anything
     Err(_) => Ok(()),
   }
@@ -300,8 +300,8 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_undo_remove_for_community(
     .single_xsd_any_uri()
     .context(location_info!())?;
   match find_post_or_comment_by_id(context, object).await {
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_undo_remove_post(context, p).await,
-    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_undo_remove_comment(context, c).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p)) => receive_undo_remove_post(context, *p).await,
+    Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c)) => receive_undo_remove_comment(context, *c).await,
     // if we dont have the object, no need to do anything
     Err(_) => Ok(()),
   }
@@ -325,10 +325,10 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_undo_like_for_community(
     .context(location_info!())?;
   match fetch_post_or_comment_by_id(&object_id, context, request_counter).await? {
     PostOrComment::Post(post) => {
-      receive_undo_like_post(&like, post, context, request_counter).await
+      receive_undo_like_post(&like, *post, context, request_counter).await
     }
     PostOrComment::Comment(comment) => {
-      receive_undo_like_comment(&like, comment, context, request_counter).await
+      receive_undo_like_comment(&like, *comment, context, request_counter).await
     }
   }
 }
@@ -351,10 +351,10 @@ pub(in crate::inbox) async fn receive_undo_dislike_for_community(
     .context(location_info!())?;
   match fetch_post_or_comment_by_id(&object_id, context, request_counter).await? {
     PostOrComment::Post(post) => {
-      receive_undo_dislike_post(&dislike, post, context, request_counter).await
+      receive_undo_dislike_post(&dislike, *post, context, request_counter).await
     }
     PostOrComment::Comment(comment) => {
-      receive_undo_dislike_comment(&dislike, comment, context, request_counter).await
+      receive_undo_dislike_comment(&dislike, *comment, context, request_counter).await
     }
   }
 }
@@ -365,11 +365,11 @@ async fn fetch_post_or_comment_by_id(
   request_counter: &mut i32,
 ) -> Result<PostOrComment, LemmyError> {
   if let Ok(post) = get_or_fetch_and_insert_post(apub_id, context, request_counter).await {
-    return Ok(PostOrComment::Post(post));
+    return Ok(PostOrComment::Post(Box::new(post)));
   }
 
   if let Ok(comment) = get_or_fetch_and_insert_comment(apub_id, context, request_counter).await {
-    return Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(comment));
+    return Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(Box::new(comment)));
   }
 
   Err(NotFound.into())
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/lib.rs b/crates/apub/src/lib.rs
index 5c0b267a6..850ef503e 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/lib.rs
@@ -26,13 +26,16 @@ use anyhow::{anyhow, Context};
 use diesel::NotFound;
 use lemmy_api_structs::blocking;
 use lemmy_db_queries::{source::activity::Activity_, ApubObject, DbPool};
-use lemmy_db_schema::source::{
-  activity::Activity,
-  comment::Comment,
-  community::Community,
-  post::Post,
-  private_message::PrivateMessage,
-  user::User_,
+use lemmy_db_schema::{
+  source::{
+    activity::Activity,
+    comment::Comment,
+    community::Community,
+    post::Post,
+    private_message::PrivateMessage,
+    user::User_,
+  },
+  DbUrl,
 };
 use lemmy_utils::{location_info, settings::structs::Settings, LemmyError};
 use lemmy_websocket::LemmyContext;
@@ -216,7 +219,7 @@ pub enum EndpointType {
 pub fn generate_apub_endpoint(
   endpoint_type: EndpointType,
   name: &str,
-) -> Result<lemmy_db_schema::Url, ParseError> {
+) -> Result<DbUrl, ParseError> {
   let point = match endpoint_type {
     EndpointType::Community => "c",
     EndpointType::User => "u",
@@ -236,21 +239,15 @@ pub fn generate_apub_endpoint(
   )
 }
 
-pub fn generate_followers_url(
-  actor_id: &lemmy_db_schema::Url,
-) -> Result<lemmy_db_schema::Url, ParseError> {
+pub fn generate_followers_url(actor_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<DbUrl, ParseError> {
   Ok(Url::parse(&format!("{}/followers", actor_id))?.into())
 }
 
-pub fn generate_inbox_url(
-  actor_id: &lemmy_db_schema::Url,
-) -> Result<lemmy_db_schema::Url, ParseError> {
+pub fn generate_inbox_url(actor_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<DbUrl, ParseError> {
   Ok(Url::parse(&format!("{}/inbox", actor_id))?.into())
 }
 
-pub fn generate_shared_inbox_url(
-  actor_id: &lemmy_db_schema::Url,
-) -> Result<lemmy_db_schema::Url, LemmyError> {
+pub fn generate_shared_inbox_url(actor_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<DbUrl, LemmyError> {
   let actor_id = actor_id.clone().into_inner();
   let url = format!(
     "{}://{}{}/inbox",
@@ -277,7 +274,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn insert_activity<T>(
 where
   T: Serialize + std::fmt::Debug + Send + 'static,
 {
-  let ap_id = ap_id.to_string();
+  let ap_id = ap_id.to_owned().into();
   blocking(pool, move |conn| {
     Activity::insert(conn, ap_id, &activity, local, sensitive)
   })
@@ -286,8 +283,8 @@ where
 }
 
 pub(crate) enum PostOrComment {
-  Comment(Comment),
-  Post(Post),
+  Comment(Box<Comment>),
+  Post(Box<Post>),
 }
 
 /// Tries to find a post or comment in the local database, without any network requests.
@@ -303,7 +300,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn find_post_or_comment_by_id(
   })
   .await?;
   if let Ok(p) = post {
-    return Ok(PostOrComment::Post(p));
+    return Ok(PostOrComment::Post(Box::new(p)));
   }
 
   let ap_id = apub_id.clone();
@@ -312,7 +309,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn find_post_or_comment_by_id(
   })
   .await?;
   if let Ok(c) = comment {
-    return Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(c));
+    return Ok(PostOrComment::Comment(Box::new(c)));
   }
 
   Err(NotFound.into())
@@ -333,8 +330,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn find_object_by_id(
   let ap_id = apub_id.clone();
   if let Ok(pc) = find_post_or_comment_by_id(context, ap_id.to_owned()).await {
     return Ok(match pc {
-      PostOrComment::Post(p) => Object::Post(p),
-      PostOrComment::Comment(c) => Object::Comment(c),
+      PostOrComment::Post(p) => Object::Post(*p),
+      PostOrComment::Comment(c) => Object::Comment(*c),
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs b/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs
index f516768ba..200497b73 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs
@@ -73,13 +73,13 @@ impl ToApub for Community {
 
     if let Some(icon_url) = &self.icon {
       let mut image = Image::new();
-      image.set_url(Url::parse(icon_url)?);
+      image.set_url::<Url>(icon_url.to_owned().into());
       group.set_icon(image.into_any_base()?);
     }
 
     if let Some(banner_url) = &self.banner {
       let mut image = Image::new();
-      image.set_url(Url::parse(banner_url)?);
+      image.set_url::<Url>(banner_url.to_owned().into());
       group.set_image(image.into_any_base()?);
     }
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<GroupExt> for CommunityForm {
           .url()
           .context(location_info!())?
           .as_single_xsd_any_uri()
-          .map(|u| u.to_string()),
+          .map(|u| u.to_owned().into()),
       ),
       None => None,
     };
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<GroupExt> for CommunityForm {
           .url()
           .context(location_info!())?
           .as_single_xsd_any_uri()
-          .map(|u| u.to_string()),
+          .map(|u| u.to_owned().into()),
       ),
       None => None,
     };
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/objects/mod.rs b/crates/apub/src/objects/mod.rs
index 5667e1001..6b59e5776 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/objects/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/objects/mod.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use chrono::NaiveDateTime;
 use diesel::result::Error::NotFound;
 use lemmy_api_structs::blocking;
 use lemmy_db_queries::{ApubObject, Crud, DbPool};
-use lemmy_db_schema::source::community::Community;
+use lemmy_db_schema::{source::community::Community, DbUrl};
 use lemmy_utils::{
   location_info,
   settings::structs::Settings,
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ where
 pub(in crate::objects) fn check_object_domain<T, Kind>(
   apub: &T,
   expected_domain: Url,
-) -> Result<lemmy_db_schema::Url, LemmyError>
+) -> Result<DbUrl, LemmyError>
 where
   T: Base + AsBase<Kind>,
 {
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/objects/post.rs b/crates/apub/src/objects/post.rs
index 841b38069..b066e6f8c 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/objects/post.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/objects/post.rs
@@ -24,10 +24,13 @@ use activitystreams_ext::Ext1;
 use anyhow::Context;
 use lemmy_api_structs::blocking;
 use lemmy_db_queries::{Crud, DbPool};
-use lemmy_db_schema::source::{
-  community::Community,
-  post::{Post, PostForm},
-  user::User_,
+use lemmy_db_schema::{
+  self,
+  source::{
+    community::Community,
+    post::{Post, PostForm},
+    user::User_,
+  },
 };
 use lemmy_utils::{
   location_info,
@@ -70,16 +73,13 @@ impl ToApub for Post {
       set_content_and_source(&mut page, &body)?;
     }
 
-    // TODO: hacky code because we get self.url == Some("")
-    // https://github.com/LemmyNet/lemmy/issues/602
-    let url = self.url.as_ref().filter(|u| !u.is_empty());
-    if let Some(u) = url {
-      page.set_url(Url::parse(u)?);
+    if let Some(url) = &self.url {
+      page.set_url::<Url>(url.to_owned().into());
     }
 
     if let Some(thumbnail_url) = &self.thumbnail_url {
       let mut image = Image::new();
-      image.set_url(Url::parse(thumbnail_url)?);
+      image.set_url::<Url>(thumbnail_url.to_owned().into());
       page.set_image(image.into_any_base()?);
     }
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PageExt> for PostForm {
 
     let community = get_to_community(page, context, request_counter).await?;
 
-    let thumbnail_url = match &page.inner.image() {
+    let thumbnail_url: Option<Url> = match &page.inner.image() {
       Some(any_image) => Image::from_any_base(
         any_image
           .to_owned()
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PageExt> for PostForm {
       .url()
       .context(location_info!())?
       .as_single_xsd_any_uri()
-      .map(|u| u.to_string()),
+      .map(|url| url.to_owned()),
       None => None,
     };
     let url = page
@@ -166,11 +166,11 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PageExt> for PostForm {
       .url()
       .map(|u| u.as_single_xsd_any_uri())
       .flatten()
-      .map(|s| s.to_string());
+      .map(|u| u.to_owned());
 
     let (iframely_title, iframely_description, iframely_html, pictrs_thumbnail) =
       if let Some(url) = &url {
-        fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(context.client(), Some(url.to_owned())).await
+        fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(context.client(), Some(url)).await
       } else {
         (None, None, None, thumbnail_url)
       };
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PageExt> for PostForm {
     let body_slurs_removed = body.map(|b| remove_slurs(&b));
     Ok(PostForm {
       name,
-      url,
+      url: url.map(|u| u.into()),
       body: body_slurs_removed,
       creator_id: creator.id,
       community_id: community.id,
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PageExt> for PostForm {
       embed_title: iframely_title,
       embed_description: iframely_description,
       embed_html: iframely_html,
-      thumbnail_url: pictrs_thumbnail,
+      thumbnail_url: pictrs_thumbnail.map(|u| u.into()),
       ap_id: Some(check_object_domain(page, expected_domain)?),
       local: false,
     })
diff --git a/crates/apub/src/objects/user.rs b/crates/apub/src/objects/user.rs
index c979e3ee4..83f75e49b 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/objects/user.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/objects/user.rs
@@ -50,13 +50,13 @@ impl ToApub for User_ {
 
     if let Some(avatar_url) = &self.avatar {
       let mut image = Image::new();
-      image.set_url(Url::parse(avatar_url)?);
+      image.set_url::<Url>(avatar_url.to_owned().into());
       person.set_icon(image.into_any_base()?);
     }
 
     if let Some(banner_url) = &self.banner {
       let mut image = Image::new();
-      image.set_url(Url::parse(banner_url)?);
+      image.set_url::<Url>(banner_url.to_owned().into());
       person.set_image(image.into_any_base()?);
     }
 
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PersonExt> for UserForm {
           .url()
           .context(location_info!())?
           .as_single_xsd_any_uri()
-          .map(|u| u.to_string()),
+          .map(|url| url.to_owned()),
       ),
       None => None,
     };
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PersonExt> for UserForm {
           .url()
           .context(location_info!())?
           .as_single_xsd_any_uri()
-          .map(|u| u.to_string()),
+          .map(|url| url.to_owned()),
       ),
       None => None,
     };
@@ -174,8 +174,8 @@ impl FromApubToForm<PersonExt> for UserForm {
       admin: false,
       banned: None,
       email: None,
-      avatar,
-      banner,
+      avatar: avatar.map(|o| o.map(|i| i.into())),
+      banner: banner.map(|o| o.map(|i| i.into())),
       published: person.inner.published().map(|u| u.to_owned().naive_local()),
       updated: person.updated().map(|u| u.to_owned().naive_local()),
       show_nsfw: false,
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/Cargo.toml b/crates/db_queries/Cargo.toml
index 0e489e228..c950eea95 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/db_queries/Cargo.toml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ strum = "0.20.0"
 strum_macros = "0.20.1"
 log = "0.4.14"
 sha2 = "0.9.3"
-url = { version = "2.2.0", features = ["serde"] }
+url = { version = "2.2.1", features = ["serde"] }
 lazy_static = "1.4.0"
 regex = "1.4.3"
 bcrypt = "0.9.0"
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/src/lib.rs b/crates/db_queries/src/lib.rs
index 5667b4262..c36bc34af 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/db_queries/src/lib.rs
@@ -13,10 +13,12 @@ extern crate diesel_migrations;
 extern crate serial_test;
 
 use diesel::{result::Error, *};
-use lemmy_db_schema::Url;
+use lemmy_db_schema::DbUrl;
+use lemmy_utils::ApiError;
 use regex::Regex;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::{env, env::VarError};
+use url::Url;
 
 pub mod aggregates;
 pub mod source;
@@ -112,7 +114,7 @@ pub trait Reportable<T> {
 }
 
 pub trait ApubObject<T> {
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &Url) -> Result<Self, Error>
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error>
   where
     Self: Sized;
   fn upsert(conn: &PgConnection, user_form: &T) -> Result<Self, Error>
@@ -219,6 +221,20 @@ pub fn diesel_option_overwrite(opt: &Option<String>) -> Option<Option<String>> {
   }
 }
 
+pub fn diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(
+  opt: &Option<String>,
+) -> Result<Option<Option<DbUrl>>, ApiError> {
+  match opt.as_ref().map(|s| s.as_str()) {
+    // An empty string is an erase
+    Some("") => Ok(Some(None)),
+    Some(str_url) => match Url::parse(str_url) {
+      Ok(url) => Ok(Some(Some(url.into()))),
+      Err(_) => Err(ApiError::err("invalid_url")),
+    },
+    None => Ok(None),
+  }
+}
+
 embed_migrations!();
 
 pub fn establish_unpooled_connection() -> PgConnection {
@@ -250,7 +266,7 @@ pub mod functions {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-  use super::fuzzy_search;
+  use super::{fuzzy_search, *};
   use crate::is_email_regex;
 
   #[test]
@@ -264,4 +280,32 @@ mod tests {
     assert!(is_email_regex("gush@gmail.com"));
     assert!(!is_email_regex("nada_neutho"));
   }
+
+  #[test]
+  fn test_diesel_option_overwrite() {
+    assert_eq!(diesel_option_overwrite(&None), None);
+    assert_eq!(diesel_option_overwrite(&Some("".to_string())), Some(None));
+    assert_eq!(
+      diesel_option_overwrite(&Some("test".to_string())),
+      Some(Some("test".to_string()))
+    );
+  }
+
+  #[test]
+  fn test_diesel_option_overwrite_to_url() {
+    assert!(matches!(diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&None), Ok(None)));
+    assert!(matches!(
+      diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&Some("".to_string())),
+      Ok(Some(None))
+    ));
+    assert!(matches!(
+      diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&Some("invalid_url".to_string())),
+      Err(_)
+    ));
+    let example_url = "https://example.com";
+    assert!(matches!(
+      diesel_option_overwrite_to_url(&Some(example_url.to_string())),
+      Ok(Some(Some(url))) if url == Url::parse(&example_url).unwrap().into()
+    ));
+  }
 }
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/src/source/activity.rs b/crates/db_queries/src/source/activity.rs
index cf946d67d..56b904e89 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/src/source/activity.rs
+++ b/crates/db_queries/src/source/activity.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::Crud;
 use diesel::{dsl::*, result::Error, sql_types::Text, *};
-use lemmy_db_schema::{source::activity::*, Url};
+use lemmy_db_schema::{source::activity::*, DbUrl};
 use log::debug;
 use serde::Serialize;
 use serde_json::Value;
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ impl Crud<ActivityForm> for Activity {
 pub trait Activity_ {
   fn insert<T>(
     conn: &PgConnection,
-    ap_id: String,
+    ap_id: DbUrl,
     data: &T,
     local: bool,
     sensitive: bool,
@@ -49,20 +49,20 @@ pub trait Activity_ {
   where
     T: Serialize + Debug;
 
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &str) -> Result<Activity, Error>;
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Activity, Error>;
   fn delete_olds(conn: &PgConnection) -> Result<usize, Error>;
 
   /// Returns up to 20 activities of type `Announce/Create/Page` from the community
   fn read_community_outbox(
     conn: &PgConnection,
-    community_actor_id: &Url,
+    community_actor_id: &DbUrl,
   ) -> Result<Vec<Value>, Error>;
 }
 
 impl Activity_ for Activity {
   fn insert<T>(
     conn: &PgConnection,
-    ap_id: String,
+    ap_id: DbUrl,
     data: &T,
     local: bool,
     sensitive: bool,
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ impl Activity_ for Activity {
     }
   }
 
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &str) -> Result<Activity, Error> {
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Activity, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::activity::dsl::*;
     activity.filter(ap_id.eq(object_id)).first::<Self>(conn)
   }
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ impl Activity_ for Activity {
 
   fn read_community_outbox(
     conn: &PgConnection,
-    community_actor_id: &Url,
+    community_actor_id: &DbUrl,
   ) -> Result<Vec<Value>, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::activity::dsl::*;
     let res: Vec<Value> = activity
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ impl Activity_ for Activity {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
+  use super::*;
   use crate::{
     establish_unpooled_connection,
     source::activity::Activity_,
@@ -134,6 +135,7 @@ mod tests {
   };
   use serde_json::Value;
   use serial_test::serial;
+  use url::Url;
 
   #[test]
   #[serial]
@@ -171,8 +173,11 @@ mod tests {
 
     let inserted_creator = User_::create(&conn, &creator_form).unwrap();
 
-    let ap_id =
-      "https://enterprise.lemmy.ml/activities/delete/f1b5d57c-80f8-4e03-a615-688d552e946c";
+    let ap_id: DbUrl = Url::parse(
+      "https://enterprise.lemmy.ml/activities/delete/f1b5d57c-80f8-4e03-a615-688d552e946c",
+    )
+    .unwrap()
+    .into();
     let test_json: Value = serde_json::from_str(
       r#"{
     "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
@@ -188,7 +193,7 @@ mod tests {
     )
     .unwrap();
     let activity_form = ActivityForm {
-      ap_id: ap_id.to_string(),
+      ap_id: ap_id.clone(),
       data: test_json.to_owned(),
       local: true,
       sensitive: false,
@@ -198,7 +203,7 @@ mod tests {
     let inserted_activity = Activity::create(&conn, &activity_form).unwrap();
 
     let expected_activity = Activity {
-      ap_id: Some(ap_id.to_string()),
+      ap_id: Some(ap_id.clone()),
       id: inserted_activity.id,
       data: test_json,
       local: true,
@@ -208,7 +213,7 @@ mod tests {
     };
 
     let read_activity = Activity::read(&conn, inserted_activity.id).unwrap();
-    let read_activity_by_apub_id = Activity::read_from_apub_id(&conn, ap_id).unwrap();
+    let read_activity_by_apub_id = Activity::read_from_apub_id(&conn, &ap_id).unwrap();
     User_::delete(&conn, inserted_creator.id).unwrap();
     Activity::delete(&conn, inserted_activity.id).unwrap();
 
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/src/source/comment.rs b/crates/db_queries/src/source/comment.rs
index 918ae4977..8dc9050cb 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/src/source/comment.rs
+++ b/crates/db_queries/src/source/comment.rs
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ use lemmy_db_schema::{
     CommentSaved,
     CommentSavedForm,
   },
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 
 pub trait Comment_ {
-  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, comment_id: i32, apub_id: Url) -> Result<Comment, Error>;
+  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, comment_id: i32, apub_id: DbUrl) -> Result<Comment, Error>;
   fn permadelete_for_creator(
     conn: &PgConnection,
     for_creator_id: i32,
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ pub trait Comment_ {
 }
 
 impl Comment_ for Comment {
-  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, comment_id: i32, apub_id: Url) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, comment_id: i32, apub_id: DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::comment::dsl::*;
 
     diesel::update(comment.find(comment_id))
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ impl Crud<CommentForm> for Comment {
 }
 
 impl ApubObject<CommentForm> for Comment {
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &Url) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::comment::dsl::*;
     comment.filter(ap_id.eq(object_id)).first::<Self>(conn)
   }
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/src/source/community.rs b/crates/db_queries/src/source/community.rs
index 6a19d2211..03484816c 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/src/source/community.rs
+++ b/crates/db_queries/src/source/community.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use lemmy_db_schema::{
     CommunityUserBan,
     CommunityUserBanForm,
   },
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 
 mod safe_type {
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ impl Crud<CommunityForm> for Community {
 }
 
 impl ApubObject<CommunityForm> for Community {
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, for_actor_id: &Url) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, for_actor_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::community::dsl::*;
     community
       .filter(actor_id.eq(for_actor_id))
@@ -131,7 +131,10 @@ pub trait Community_ {
     new_creator_id: i32,
   ) -> Result<Community, Error>;
   fn distinct_federated_communities(conn: &PgConnection) -> Result<Vec<String>, Error>;
-  fn read_from_followers_url(conn: &PgConnection, followers_url: &Url) -> Result<Community, Error>;
+  fn read_from_followers_url(
+    conn: &PgConnection,
+    followers_url: &DbUrl,
+  ) -> Result<Community, Error>;
 }
 
 impl Community_ for Community {
@@ -194,7 +197,7 @@ impl Community_ for Community {
 
   fn read_from_followers_url(
     conn: &PgConnection,
-    followers_url_: &Url,
+    followers_url_: &DbUrl,
   ) -> Result<Community, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::community::dsl::*;
     community
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/src/source/post.rs b/crates/db_queries/src/source/post.rs
index f6b1342ef..f105dc738 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/src/source/post.rs
+++ b/crates/db_queries/src/source/post.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use lemmy_db_schema::{
     PostSaved,
     PostSavedForm,
   },
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 
 impl Crud<PostForm> for Post {
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ impl Crud<PostForm> for Post {
 pub trait Post_ {
   //fn read(conn: &PgConnection, post_id: i32) -> Result<Post, Error>;
   fn list_for_community(conn: &PgConnection, the_community_id: i32) -> Result<Vec<Post>, Error>;
-  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, post_id: i32, apub_id: Url) -> Result<Post, Error>;
+  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, post_id: i32, apub_id: DbUrl) -> Result<Post, Error>;
   fn permadelete_for_creator(conn: &PgConnection, for_creator_id: i32) -> Result<Vec<Post>, Error>;
   fn update_deleted(conn: &PgConnection, post_id: i32, new_deleted: bool) -> Result<Post, Error>;
   fn update_removed(conn: &PgConnection, post_id: i32, new_removed: bool) -> Result<Post, Error>;
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ impl Post_ for Post {
       .load::<Self>(conn)
   }
 
-  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, post_id: i32, apub_id: Url) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+  fn update_ap_id(conn: &PgConnection, post_id: i32, apub_id: DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::post::dsl::*;
 
     diesel::update(post.find(post_id))
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ impl Post_ for Post {
 }
 
 impl ApubObject<PostForm> for Post {
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &Url) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::post::dsl::*;
     post.filter(ap_id.eq(object_id)).first::<Self>(conn)
   }
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/src/source/private_message.rs b/crates/db_queries/src/source/private_message.rs
index f1908bc14..c437252ef 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/src/source/private_message.rs
+++ b/crates/db_queries/src/source/private_message.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{ApubObject, Crud};
 use diesel::{dsl::*, result::Error, *};
-use lemmy_db_schema::{naive_now, source::private_message::*, Url};
+use lemmy_db_schema::{naive_now, source::private_message::*, DbUrl};
 
 impl Crud<PrivateMessageForm> for PrivateMessage {
   fn read(conn: &PgConnection, private_message_id: i32) -> Result<Self, Error> {
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ impl Crud<PrivateMessageForm> for PrivateMessage {
 }
 
 impl ApubObject<PrivateMessageForm> for PrivateMessage {
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &Url) -> Result<Self, Error>
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error>
   where
     Self: Sized,
   {
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ pub trait PrivateMessage_ {
   fn update_ap_id(
     conn: &PgConnection,
     private_message_id: i32,
-    apub_id: Url,
+    apub_id: DbUrl,
   ) -> Result<PrivateMessage, Error>;
   fn update_content(
     conn: &PgConnection,
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ impl PrivateMessage_ for PrivateMessage {
   fn update_ap_id(
     conn: &PgConnection,
     private_message_id: i32,
-    apub_id: Url,
+    apub_id: DbUrl,
   ) -> Result<PrivateMessage, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::private_message::dsl::*;
 
diff --git a/crates/db_queries/src/source/user.rs b/crates/db_queries/src/source/user.rs
index 56023f09f..d0e7411a5 100644
--- a/crates/db_queries/src/source/user.rs
+++ b/crates/db_queries/src/source/user.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use lemmy_db_schema::{
   naive_now,
   schema::user_::dsl::*,
   source::user::{UserForm, UserSafeSettings, User_},
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 use lemmy_utils::settings::structs::Settings;
 
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ impl Crud<UserForm> for User_ {
 }
 
 impl ApubObject<UserForm> for User_ {
-  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &Url) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+  fn read_from_apub_id(conn: &PgConnection, object_id: &DbUrl) -> Result<Self, Error> {
     use lemmy_db_schema::schema::user_::dsl::*;
     user_
       .filter(deleted.eq(false))
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/Cargo.toml b/crates/db_schema/Cargo.toml
index b637c0222..1da8b68fb 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/db_schema/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ chrono = { version = "0.4.19", features = ["serde"] }
 serde = { version = "1.0.123", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = { version = "1.0.61", features = ["preserve_order"] }
 log = "0.4.14"
-url = { version = "2.2.0", features = ["serde"] }
+url = { version = "2.2.1", features = ["serde"] }
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/lib.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/lib.rs
index b0733884e..f44567b90 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/lib.rs
@@ -8,21 +8,22 @@ use diesel::{
   serialize::{Output, ToSql},
   sql_types::Text,
 };
-use serde::Serialize;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::{
   fmt::{Display, Formatter},
   io::Write,
 };
+use url::Url;
 
 pub mod schema;
 pub mod source;
 
 #[repr(transparent)]
-#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Debug, AsExpression, FromSqlRow)]
+#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, AsExpression, FromSqlRow)]
 #[sql_type = "Text"]
-pub struct Url(url::Url);
+pub struct DbUrl(Url);
 
-impl<DB: Backend> ToSql<Text, DB> for Url
+impl<DB: Backend> ToSql<Text, DB> for DbUrl
 where
   String: ToSql<Text, DB>,
 {
@@ -31,37 +32,37 @@ where
   }
 }
 
-impl<DB: Backend> FromSql<Text, DB> for Url
+impl<DB: Backend> FromSql<Text, DB> for DbUrl
 where
   String: FromSql<Text, DB>,
 {
   fn from_sql(bytes: Option<&DB::RawValue>) -> diesel::deserialize::Result<Self> {
     let str = String::from_sql(bytes)?;
-    Ok(Url(url::Url::parse(&str)?))
+    Ok(DbUrl(Url::parse(&str)?))
   }
 }
 
-impl Url {
-  pub fn into_inner(self) -> url::Url {
+impl DbUrl {
+  pub fn into_inner(self) -> Url {
     self.0
   }
 }
 
-impl Display for Url {
+impl Display for DbUrl {
   fn fmt(&self, f: &mut Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
     self.to_owned().into_inner().fmt(f)
   }
 }
 
-impl From<Url> for url::Url {
-  fn from(url: Url) -> Self {
+impl From<DbUrl> for Url {
+  fn from(url: DbUrl) -> Self {
     url.0
   }
 }
 
-impl From<url::Url> for Url {
-  fn from(url: url::Url) -> Self {
-    Url(url)
+impl From<Url> for DbUrl {
+  fn from(url: Url) -> Self {
+    DbUrl(url)
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/activity.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/activity.rs
index cf81ab8c8..7b7f4aba3 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/activity.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/activity.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::schema::activity;
+use crate::{schema::activity, DbUrl};
 use serde_json::Value;
 use std::fmt::Debug;
 
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ pub struct Activity {
   pub local: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
-  pub ap_id: Option<String>,
+  pub ap_id: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub sensitive: Option<bool>,
 }
 
@@ -20,6 +20,6 @@ pub struct ActivityForm {
   pub data: Value,
   pub local: bool,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
-  pub ap_id: String,
+  pub ap_id: DbUrl,
   pub sensitive: bool,
 }
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/comment.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/comment.rs
index 72b9e740a..a00738a06 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/comment.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/comment.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::{
   schema::{comment, comment_alias_1, comment_like, comment_saved},
   source::post::Post,
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 use serde::Serialize;
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ pub struct Comment {
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub deleted: bool,
-  pub ap_id: Url,
+  pub ap_id: DbUrl,
   pub local: bool,
 }
 
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ pub struct CommentAlias1 {
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub deleted: bool,
-  pub ap_id: Url,
+  pub ap_id: DbUrl,
   pub local: bool,
 }
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ pub struct CommentForm {
   pub published: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub deleted: Option<bool>,
-  pub ap_id: Option<Url>,
+  pub ap_id: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub local: bool,
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/community.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/community.rs
index b8702ca97..b9fe12493 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/community.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/community.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{
   schema::{community, community_follower, community_moderator, community_user_ban},
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 use serde::Serialize;
 
@@ -17,16 +17,16 @@ pub struct Community {
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub deleted: bool,
   pub nsfw: bool,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub local: bool,
   pub private_key: Option<String>,
   pub public_key: Option<String>,
   pub last_refreshed_at: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
-  pub icon: Option<String>,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
-  pub followers_url: Url,
-  pub inbox_url: Url,
-  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<Url>,
+  pub icon: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub followers_url: DbUrl,
+  pub inbox_url: DbUrl,
+  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<DbUrl>,
 }
 
 /// A safe representation of community, without the sensitive info
@@ -43,10 +43,10 @@ pub struct CommunitySafe {
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub deleted: bool,
   pub nsfw: bool,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub local: bool,
-  pub icon: Option<String>,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub icon: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Insertable, AsChangeset, Debug)]
@@ -61,16 +61,16 @@ pub struct CommunityForm {
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub deleted: Option<bool>,
   pub nsfw: bool,
-  pub actor_id: Option<Url>,
+  pub actor_id: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub local: bool,
   pub private_key: Option<String>,
   pub public_key: Option<String>,
   pub last_refreshed_at: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
-  pub icon: Option<Option<String>>,
-  pub banner: Option<Option<String>>,
-  pub followers_url: Option<Url>,
-  pub inbox_url: Option<Url>,
-  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<Option<Url>>,
+  pub icon: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
+  pub banner: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
+  pub followers_url: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub inbox_url: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Identifiable, Queryable, Associations, PartialEq, Debug)]
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/post.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/post.rs
index 4ec6b56d0..c8cc51cd0 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/post.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/post.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{
   schema::{post, post_like, post_read, post_saved},
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 use serde::Serialize;
 
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use serde::Serialize;
 pub struct Post {
   pub id: i32,
   pub name: String,
-  pub url: Option<String>,
+  pub url: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub body: Option<String>,
   pub creator_id: i32,
   pub community_id: i32,
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ pub struct Post {
   pub embed_title: Option<String>,
   pub embed_description: Option<String>,
   pub embed_html: Option<String>,
-  pub thumbnail_url: Option<String>,
-  pub ap_id: Url,
+  pub thumbnail_url: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub ap_id: DbUrl,
   pub local: bool,
 }
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ pub struct Post {
 #[table_name = "post"]
 pub struct PostForm {
   pub name: String,
-  pub url: Option<String>,
+  pub url: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub body: Option<String>,
   pub creator_id: i32,
   pub community_id: i32,
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ pub struct PostForm {
   pub embed_title: Option<String>,
   pub embed_description: Option<String>,
   pub embed_html: Option<String>,
-  pub thumbnail_url: Option<String>,
-  pub ap_id: Option<Url>,
+  pub thumbnail_url: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub ap_id: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub local: bool,
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/post_report.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/post_report.rs
index b75fb954a..62ef31cd8 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/post_report.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/post_report.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::{schema::post_report, source::post::Post};
+use crate::{schema::post_report, source::post::Post, DbUrl};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 #[derive(
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ pub struct PostReport {
   pub creator_id: i32,
   pub post_id: i32,
   pub original_post_name: String,
-  pub original_post_url: Option<String>,
+  pub original_post_url: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub original_post_body: Option<String>,
   pub reason: String,
   pub resolved: bool,
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ pub struct PostReportForm {
   pub creator_id: i32,
   pub post_id: i32,
   pub original_post_name: String,
-  pub original_post_url: Option<String>,
+  pub original_post_url: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub original_post_body: Option<String>,
   pub reason: String,
 }
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/private_message.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/private_message.rs
index 376728a1b..949c97709 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/private_message.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/private_message.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::{schema::private_message, Url};
+use crate::{schema::private_message, DbUrl};
 use serde::Serialize;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Queryable, Associations, Identifiable, PartialEq, Debug, Serialize)]
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ pub struct PrivateMessage {
   pub read: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
-  pub ap_id: Url,
+  pub ap_id: DbUrl,
   pub local: bool,
 }
 
@@ -26,6 +26,6 @@ pub struct PrivateMessageForm {
   pub read: Option<bool>,
   pub published: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
-  pub ap_id: Option<Url>,
+  pub ap_id: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub local: bool,
 }
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/site.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/site.rs
index 66319548e..998e9f9d1 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/site.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/site.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::schema::site;
+use crate::{schema::site, DbUrl};
 use serde::Serialize;
 
 #[derive(Queryable, Identifiable, PartialEq, Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ pub struct Site {
   pub enable_downvotes: bool,
   pub open_registration: bool,
   pub enable_nsfw: bool,
-  pub icon: Option<String>,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub icon: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Insertable, AsChangeset)]
@@ -28,6 +28,6 @@ pub struct SiteForm {
   pub open_registration: bool,
   pub enable_nsfw: bool,
   // when you want to null out a column, you have to send Some(None)), since sending None means you just don't want to update that column.
-  pub icon: Option<Option<String>>,
-  pub banner: Option<Option<String>>,
+  pub icon: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
+  pub banner: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
 }
diff --git a/crates/db_schema/src/source/user.rs b/crates/db_schema/src/source/user.rs
index d72929fa8..f04b9a609 100644
--- a/crates/db_schema/src/source/user.rs
+++ b/crates/db_schema/src/source/user.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{
   schema::{user_, user_alias_1, user_alias_2},
-  Url,
+  DbUrl,
 };
 use serde::Serialize;
 
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ pub struct User_ {
   pub preferred_username: Option<String>,
   pub password_encrypted: String,
   pub email: Option<String>,
-  pub avatar: Option<String>,
+  pub avatar: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
@@ -25,16 +25,16 @@ pub struct User_ {
   pub show_avatars: bool,
   pub send_notifications_to_email: bool,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<String>,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub bio: Option<String>,
   pub local: bool,
   pub private_key: Option<String>,
   pub public_key: Option<String>,
   pub last_refreshed_at: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub deleted: bool,
-  pub inbox_url: Url,
-  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<Url>,
+  pub inbox_url: DbUrl,
+  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<DbUrl>,
 }
 
 /// A safe representation of user, without the sensitive info
@@ -44,19 +44,19 @@ pub struct UserSafe {
   pub id: i32,
   pub name: String,
   pub preferred_username: Option<String>,
-  pub avatar: Option<String>,
+  pub avatar: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<String>,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub bio: Option<String>,
   pub local: bool,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub deleted: bool,
-  pub inbox_url: Url,
-  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<Url>,
+  pub inbox_url: DbUrl,
+  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<DbUrl>,
 }
 
 /// A safe user view with only settings
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ pub struct UserSafeSettings {
   pub name: String,
   pub preferred_username: Option<String>,
   pub email: Option<String>,
-  pub avatar: Option<String>,
+  pub avatar: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
@@ -80,11 +80,11 @@ pub struct UserSafeSettings {
   pub show_avatars: bool,
   pub send_notifications_to_email: bool,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<String>,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub bio: Option<String>,
   pub local: bool,
   pub last_refreshed_at: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub deleted: bool,
 }
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ pub struct UserAlias1 {
   pub preferred_username: Option<String>,
   pub password_encrypted: String,
   pub email: Option<String>,
-  pub avatar: Option<String>,
+  pub avatar: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
@@ -109,13 +109,13 @@ pub struct UserAlias1 {
   pub show_avatars: bool,
   pub send_notifications_to_email: bool,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<String>,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub bio: Option<String>,
   pub local: bool,
   pub private_key: Option<String>,
   pub public_key: Option<String>,
   pub last_refreshed_at: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub deleted: bool,
 }
 
@@ -125,16 +125,16 @@ pub struct UserSafeAlias1 {
   pub id: i32,
   pub name: String,
   pub preferred_username: Option<String>,
-  pub avatar: Option<String>,
+  pub avatar: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<String>,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub bio: Option<String>,
   pub local: bool,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub deleted: bool,
 }
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ pub struct UserAlias2 {
   pub preferred_username: Option<String>,
   pub password_encrypted: String,
   pub email: Option<String>,
-  pub avatar: Option<String>,
+  pub avatar: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
@@ -159,13 +159,13 @@ pub struct UserAlias2 {
   pub show_avatars: bool,
   pub send_notifications_to_email: bool,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<String>,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub bio: Option<String>,
   pub local: bool,
   pub private_key: Option<String>,
   pub public_key: Option<String>,
   pub last_refreshed_at: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub deleted: bool,
 }
 
@@ -175,16 +175,16 @@ pub struct UserSafeAlias2 {
   pub id: i32,
   pub name: String,
   pub preferred_username: Option<String>,
-  pub avatar: Option<String>,
+  pub avatar: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: bool,
   pub published: chrono::NaiveDateTime,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<String>,
-  pub actor_id: Url,
+  pub actor_id: DbUrl,
   pub bio: Option<String>,
   pub local: bool,
-  pub banner: Option<String>,
+  pub banner: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub deleted: bool,
 }
 
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ pub struct UserForm {
   pub admin: bool,
   pub banned: Option<bool>,
   pub email: Option<Option<String>>,
-  pub avatar: Option<Option<String>>,
+  pub avatar: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
   pub published: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub updated: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
   pub show_nsfw: bool,
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@ pub struct UserForm {
   pub show_avatars: bool,
   pub send_notifications_to_email: bool,
   pub matrix_user_id: Option<Option<String>>,
-  pub actor_id: Option<Url>,
+  pub actor_id: Option<DbUrl>,
   pub bio: Option<Option<String>>,
   pub local: bool,
   pub private_key: Option<String>,
   pub public_key: Option<String>,
   pub last_refreshed_at: Option<chrono::NaiveDateTime>,
-  pub banner: Option<Option<String>>,
-  pub inbox_url: Option<Url>,
-  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<Option<Url>>,
+  pub banner: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
+  pub inbox_url: Option<DbUrl>,
+  pub shared_inbox_url: Option<Option<DbUrl>>,
 }
diff --git a/crates/db_views/Cargo.toml b/crates/db_views/Cargo.toml
index e44f414a6..42a942b40 100644
--- a/crates/db_views/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/db_views/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ lemmy_db_schema = { path = "../db_schema" }
 diesel = { version = "1.4.5", features = ["postgres","chrono","r2d2","serde_json"] }
 serde = { version = "1.0.123", features = ["derive"] }
 log = "0.4.14"
-url = "2.2.0"
+url = "2.2.1"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 serial_test = "0.5.1"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/crates/routes/Cargo.toml b/crates/routes/Cargo.toml
index 80b94aa7e..b6b464c33 100644
--- a/crates/routes/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/routes/Cargo.toml
@@ -25,6 +25,6 @@ chrono = { version = "0.4.19", features = ["serde"] }
 rss = "1.10.0"
 serde = { version = "1.0.123", features = ["derive"] }
 awc = { version = "2.0.3", default-features = false }
-url = { version = "2.2.0", features = ["serde"] }
+url = { version = "2.2.1", features = ["serde"] }
 strum = "0.20.0"
 lazy_static = "1.4.0"
diff --git a/crates/utils/Cargo.toml b/crates/utils/Cargo.toml
index bb87cd301..f8c2012db 100644
--- a/crates/utils/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/utils/Cargo.toml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ thiserror = "1.0.23"
 comrak = { version = "0.9.0", default-features = false }
 lazy_static = "1.4.0"
 openssl = "0.10.32"
-url = { version = "2.2.0", features = ["serde"] }
+url = { version = "2.2.1", features = ["serde"] }
 actix-web = { version = "3.3.2", default-features = false, features = ["rustls"] }
 actix-rt = { version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
 anyhow = "1.0.38"
diff --git a/crates/utils/src/request.rs b/crates/utils/src/request.rs
index 428d78974..963bc9a21 100644
--- a/crates/utils/src/request.rs
+++ b/crates/utils/src/request.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use reqwest::Client;
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use std::future::Future;
 use thiserror::Error;
+use url::Url;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Error)]
 #[error("Error sending request, {0}")]
@@ -50,13 +51,13 @@ where
 pub(crate) struct IframelyResponse {
   title: Option<String>,
   description: Option<String>,
-  thumbnail_url: Option<String>,
+  thumbnail_url: Option<Url>,
   html: Option<String>,
 }
 
 pub(crate) async fn fetch_iframely(
   client: &Client,
-  url: &str,
+  url: &Url,
 ) -> Result<IframelyResponse, LemmyError> {
   let fetch_url = format!("{}/oembed?url={}", Settings::get().iframely_url(), url);
 
@@ -83,14 +84,14 @@ pub(crate) struct PictrsFile {
 
 pub(crate) async fn fetch_pictrs(
   client: &Client,
-  image_url: &str,
+  image_url: &Url,
 ) -> Result<PictrsResponse, LemmyError> {
   is_image_content_type(client, image_url).await?;
 
   let fetch_url = format!(
     "{}/image/download?url={}",
     Settings::get().pictrs_url(),
-    utf8_percent_encode(image_url, NON_ALPHANUMERIC) // TODO this might not be needed
+    utf8_percent_encode(image_url.as_str(), NON_ALPHANUMERIC) // TODO this might not be needed
   );
 
   let response = retry(|| client.get(&fetch_url).send()).await?;
@@ -109,13 +110,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn fetch_pictrs(
 
 pub async fn fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(
   client: &Client,
-  url: Option<String>,
-) -> (
-  Option<String>,
-  Option<String>,
-  Option<String>,
-  Option<String>,
-) {
+  url: Option<&Url>,
+) -> (Option<String>, Option<String>, Option<String>, Option<Url>) {
   match &url {
     Some(url) => {
       // Fetch iframely data
@@ -149,11 +145,19 @@ pub async fn fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(
 
       // The full urls are necessary for federation
       let pictrs_thumbnail = if let Some(pictrs_hash) = pictrs_hash {
-        Some(format!(
+        let url = Url::parse(&format!(
           "{}/pictrs/image/{}",
           Settings::get().get_protocol_and_hostname(),
           pictrs_hash
-        ))
+        ));
+        match url {
+          Ok(parsed_url) => Some(parsed_url),
+          Err(e) => {
+            // This really shouldn't happen unless the settings or hash are malformed
+            error!("Unexpected error constructing pictrs thumbnail URL: {}", e);
+            None
+          }
+        }
       } else {
         None
       };
@@ -169,9 +173,8 @@ pub async fn fetch_iframely_and_pictrs_data(
   }
 }
 
-async fn is_image_content_type(client: &Client, test: &str) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
-  let response = retry(|| client.get(test).send()).await?;
-
+async fn is_image_content_type(client: &Client, test: &Url) -> Result<(), LemmyError> {
+  let response = retry(|| client.get(test.to_owned()).send()).await?;
   if response
     .headers()
     .get("Content-Type")
diff --git a/migrations/2021-02-28-162616_clean_empty_post_urls/down.sql b/migrations/2021-02-28-162616_clean_empty_post_urls/down.sql
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7195601c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/2021-02-28-162616_clean_empty_post_urls/down.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+-- This is a clean-up migration that cannot be undone,
+-- but Diesel requires a non-empty script so run a no-op.
+SELECT 1;
+
diff --git a/migrations/2021-02-28-162616_clean_empty_post_urls/up.sql b/migrations/2021-02-28-162616_clean_empty_post_urls/up.sql
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..24e2d16b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/2021-02-28-162616_clean_empty_post_urls/up.sql
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+UPDATE post SET url = NULL where url = '';