diff --git a/files/helpers/alerts.py b/files/helpers/alerts.py
index cc0b90015..94dcf3486 100644
--- a/files/helpers/alerts.py
+++ b/files/helpers/alerts.py
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ def add_notif(cid, uid, text, pushnotif_url=''):
 			push_notif({uid}, 'New notification', text, pushnotif_url)
 
 
-def NOTIFY_USERS(text, v, oldtext=None, ghost=False, log_cost=None):
+def NOTIFY_USERS(text, v, oldtext=None, ghost=False, log_cost=None, followers_ping=True):
 	# Restrict young accounts from generating notifications
 	if v.age < NOTIFICATION_SPAM_AGE_THRESHOLD:
 		return set()
@@ -165,6 +165,8 @@ def NOTIFY_USERS(text, v, oldtext=None, ghost=False, log_cost=None):
 				group = None
 				member_ids = set([x[0] for x in g.db.query(User.id).filter(User.admin_level > 0, User.id != AEVANN_ID)])
 			elif i.group(1) == 'followers':
+				if not followers_ping:
+					abort(403, f"You can't use !followers in posts!")
 				group = None
 				member_ids = set([x[0] for x in g.db.query(Follow.user_id).filter_by(target_id=v.id)])
 			else:
diff --git a/files/routes/posts.py b/files/routes/posts.py
index 59949821f..86eaf916c 100644
--- a/files/routes/posts.py
+++ b/files/routes/posts.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def publish(pid, v):
 	p.created_utc = int(time.time())
 	g.db.add(p)
 
-	notify_users = NOTIFY_USERS(f'{p.title} {p.body}', v, ghost=p.ghost, log_cost=p)
+	notify_users = NOTIFY_USERS(f'{p.title} {p.body}', v, ghost=p.ghost, log_cost=p, followers_ping=False)
 
 	if notify_users:
 		cid, text = notif_comment2(p)
@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ def submit_post(v, sub=None):
 			abort(415)
 
 	if not p.private:
-		notify_users = NOTIFY_USERS(f'{title} {body}', v, ghost=p.ghost, log_cost=p)
+		notify_users = NOTIFY_USERS(f'{title} {body}', v, ghost=p.ghost, log_cost=p, followers_ping=False)
 
 		if notify_users:
 			cid, text = notif_comment2(p)
@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ def edit_post(pid, v):
 
 
 	if not p.private:
-		notify_users = NOTIFY_USERS(f'{title} {body}', v, oldtext=f'{p.title} {p.body}', ghost=p.ghost, log_cost=p)
+		notify_users = NOTIFY_USERS(f'{title} {body}', v, oldtext=f'{p.title} {p.body}', ghost=p.ghost, log_cost=p, followers_ping=False)
 		if notify_users:
 			cid, text = notif_comment2(p)
 			if notify_users == 'everyone':