diff --git a/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/database.ex b/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/database.ex
index cfd9eeada..72b706e1a 100644
--- a/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/database.ex
+++ b/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/database.ex
@@ -52,9 +52,9 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.Database do
   def run(["update_users_following_followers_counts"]) do
     start_pleroma()
 
-    users = Repo.all(User)
-    Enum.each(users, &User.remove_duplicated_following/1)
-    Enum.each(users, &User.update_follower_count/1)
+    User
+    |> Repo.all()
+    |> Enum.each(&User.update_follower_count/1)
   end
 
   def run(["prune_objects" | args]) do
diff --git a/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/relay.ex b/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/relay.ex
index d7a7b599f..eafddada6 100644
--- a/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/relay.ex
+++ b/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/relay.ex
@@ -36,8 +36,9 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.Relay do
   def run(["list"]) do
     start_pleroma()
 
-    with %User{following: following} = _user <- Relay.get_actor() do
-      following
+    with %User{} = user <- Relay.get_actor() do
+      user
+      |> User.following()
       |> Enum.map(fn entry -> URI.parse(entry).host end)
       |> Enum.uniq()
       |> Enum.each(&shell_info(&1))
diff --git a/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/user.ex b/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/user.ex
index 134b5bccc..8866afdf6 100644
--- a/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/user.ex
+++ b/lib/mix/tasks/pleroma/user.ex
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.User do
 
       user = User.get_cached_by_id(user.id)
 
-      if Enum.empty?(user.following) do
+      if Enum.empty?(User.get_friends(user)) do
         shell_info("Successfully unsubscribed all followers from #{user.nickname}")
       end
     else
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/bbs/handler.ex b/lib/pleroma/bbs/handler.ex
index fa838a4e4..b0e9ebbd0 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/bbs/handler.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/bbs/handler.ex
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.BBS.Handler do
       |> Map.put("user", user)
 
     activities =
-      [user.ap_id | user.following]
+      [user.ap_id | Pleroma.User.following(user)]
       |> ActivityPub.fetch_activities(params)
 
     Enum.each(activities, fn activity ->
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/following_relationship.ex b/lib/pleroma/following_relationship.ex
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0d789b5a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/pleroma/following_relationship.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+# Pleroma: A lightweight social networking server
+# Copyright © 2017-2019 Pleroma Authors <https://pleroma.social/>
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+
+defmodule Pleroma.FollowingRelationship do
+  use Ecto.Schema
+
+  import Ecto.Changeset
+  import Ecto.Query
+
+  alias FlakeId.Ecto.CompatType
+  alias Pleroma.Repo
+  alias Pleroma.User
+
+  schema "following_relationships" do
+    field(:state, :string, default: "accept")
+
+    belongs_to(:follower, User, type: CompatType)
+    belongs_to(:following, User, type: CompatType)
+
+    timestamps()
+  end
+
+  def changeset(%__MODULE__{} = following_relationship, attrs) do
+    following_relationship
+    |> cast(attrs, [:state])
+    |> put_assoc(:follower, attrs.follower)
+    |> put_assoc(:following, attrs.following)
+    |> validate_required([:state, :follower, :following])
+  end
+
+  def get(%User{} = follower, %User{} = following) do
+    __MODULE__
+    |> where(follower_id: ^follower.id, following_id: ^following.id)
+    |> Repo.one()
+  end
+
+  def update(follower, following, "reject"), do: unfollow(follower, following)
+
+  def update(%User{} = follower, %User{} = following, state) do
+    case get(follower, following) do
+      nil ->
+        follow(follower, following, state)
+
+      following_relationship ->
+        following_relationship
+        |> cast(%{state: state}, [:state])
+        |> validate_required([:state])
+        |> Repo.update()
+    end
+  end
+
+  def follow(%User{} = follower, %User{} = following, state \\ "accept") do
+    %__MODULE__{}
+    |> changeset(%{follower: follower, following: following, state: state})
+    |> Repo.insert(on_conflict: :nothing)
+  end
+
+  def unfollow(%User{} = follower, %User{} = following) do
+    case get(follower, following) do
+      nil -> {:ok, nil}
+      %__MODULE__{} = following_relationship -> Repo.delete(following_relationship)
+    end
+  end
+
+  def follower_count(%User{} = user) do
+    %{followers: user, deactivated: false}
+    |> User.Query.build()
+    |> Repo.aggregate(:count, :id)
+  end
+
+  def following_count(%User{id: nil}), do: 0
+
+  def following_count(%User{} = user) do
+    %{friends: user, deactivated: false}
+    |> User.Query.build()
+    |> Repo.aggregate(:count, :id)
+  end
+
+  def get_follow_requests(%User{id: id}) do
+    __MODULE__
+    |> join(:inner, [r], f in assoc(r, :follower))
+    |> where([r], r.state == "pending")
+    |> where([r], r.following_id == ^id)
+    |> select([r, f], f)
+    |> Repo.all()
+  end
+
+  def following?(%User{id: follower_id}, %User{id: followed_id}) do
+    __MODULE__
+    |> where(follower_id: ^follower_id, following_id: ^followed_id, state: "accept")
+    |> Repo.exists?()
+  end
+
+  def following(%User{} = user) do
+    following =
+      __MODULE__
+      |> join(:inner, [r], u in User, on: r.following_id == u.id)
+      |> where([r], r.follower_id == ^user.id)
+      |> where([r], r.state == "accept")
+      |> select([r, u], u.follower_address)
+      |> Repo.all()
+
+    if user.nickname in [nil, "internal.fetch"] do
+      following
+    else
+      [user.follower_address | following]
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/user.ex b/lib/pleroma/user.ex
index 2cfb13a8c..c32f6b429 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/user.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/user.ex
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
   alias Pleroma.Activity
   alias Pleroma.Conversation.Participation
   alias Pleroma.Delivery
+  alias Pleroma.FollowingRelationship
   alias Pleroma.Keys
   alias Pleroma.Notification
   alias Pleroma.Object
@@ -52,7 +53,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
     field(:password, :string, virtual: true)
     field(:password_confirmation, :string, virtual: true)
     field(:keys, :string)
-    field(:following, {:array, :string}, default: [])
     field(:ap_id, :string)
     field(:avatar, :map)
     field(:local, :boolean, default: true)
@@ -162,13 +162,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
     )
   end
 
-  def following_count(%User{following: []}), do: 0
-
-  def following_count(%User{} = user) do
-    user
-    |> get_friends_query()
-    |> Repo.aggregate(:count, :id)
-  end
+  defdelegate following_count(user), to: FollowingRelationship
 
   defp truncate_if_exists(params, key, max_length) do
     if Map.has_key?(params, key) and is_binary(params[key]) do
@@ -216,7 +210,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
     name_limit = Pleroma.Config.get([:instance, :user_name_length], 100)
 
     struct
-    |> cast(params, [:bio, :name, :avatar, :following])
+    |> cast(params, [:bio, :name, :avatar])
     |> unique_constraint(:nickname)
     |> validate_format(:nickname, local_nickname_regex())
     |> validate_length(:bio, max: bio_limit)
@@ -324,7 +318,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
     followers = ap_followers(%User{nickname: get_field(changeset, :nickname)})
 
     changeset
-    |> put_change(:following, [followers])
     |> put_change(:follower_address, followers)
   end
 
@@ -378,8 +371,11 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
   def needs_update?(_), do: true
 
   @spec maybe_direct_follow(User.t(), User.t()) :: {:ok, User.t()} | {:error, String.t()}
-  def maybe_direct_follow(%User{} = follower, %User{local: true, info: %{locked: true}}) do
-    {:ok, follower}
+  def maybe_direct_follow(
+        %User{} = follower,
+        %User{local: true, info: %{locked: true}} = followed
+      ) do
+    follow(follower, followed, "pending")
   end
 
   def maybe_direct_follow(%User{} = follower, %User{local: true} = followed) do
@@ -397,37 +393,22 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
   @doc "A mass follow for local users. Respects blocks in both directions but does not create activities."
   @spec follow_all(User.t(), list(User.t())) :: {atom(), User.t()}
   def follow_all(follower, followeds) do
-    followed_addresses =
-      followeds
-      |> Enum.reject(fn followed -> blocks?(follower, followed) || blocks?(followed, follower) end)
-      |> Enum.map(fn %{follower_address: fa} -> fa end)
+    followeds =
+      Enum.reject(followeds, fn followed ->
+        blocks?(follower, followed) || blocks?(followed, follower)
+      end)
 
-    q =
-      from(u in User,
-        where: u.id == ^follower.id,
-        update: [
-          set: [
-            following:
-              fragment(
-                "array(select distinct unnest (array_cat(?, ?)))",
-                u.following,
-                ^followed_addresses
-              )
-          ]
-        ],
-        select: u
-      )
-
-    {1, [follower]} = Repo.update_all(q, [])
+    Enum.each(followeds, &follow(follower, &1, "accept"))
 
     Enum.each(followeds, &update_follower_count/1)
 
     set_cache(follower)
   end
 
-  def follow(%User{} = follower, %User{info: info} = followed) do
+  defdelegate following(user), to: FollowingRelationship
+
+  def follow(%User{} = follower, %User{info: info} = followed, state \\ "accept") do
     deny_follow_blocked = Pleroma.Config.get([:user, :deny_follow_blocked])
-    ap_followers = followed.follower_address
 
     cond do
       info.deactivated ->
@@ -441,14 +422,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
           Websub.subscribe(follower, followed)
         end
 
-        q =
-          from(u in User,
-            where: u.id == ^follower.id,
-            update: [push: [following: ^ap_followers]],
-            select: u
-          )
-
-        {1, [follower]} = Repo.update_all(q, [])
+        FollowingRelationship.follow(follower, followed, state)
 
         follower = maybe_update_following_count(follower)
 
@@ -459,17 +433,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
   end
 
   def unfollow(%User{} = follower, %User{} = followed) do
-    ap_followers = followed.follower_address
-
     if following?(follower, followed) and follower.ap_id != followed.ap_id do
-      q =
-        from(u in User,
-          where: u.id == ^follower.id,
-          update: [pull: [following: ^ap_followers]],
-          select: u
-        )
-
-      {1, [follower]} = Repo.update_all(q, [])
+      FollowingRelationship.unfollow(follower, followed)
 
       follower = maybe_update_following_count(follower)
 
@@ -483,10 +448,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
     end
   end
 
-  @spec following?(User.t(), User.t()) :: boolean
-  def following?(%User{} = follower, %User{} = followed) do
-    Enum.member?(follower.following, followed.follower_address)
-  end
+  defdelegate following?(follower, followed), to: FollowingRelationship
 
   def locked?(%User{} = user) do
     user.info.locked || false
@@ -707,16 +669,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
     |> Repo.all()
   end
 
-  @spec get_follow_requests(User.t()) :: {:ok, [User.t()]}
-  def get_follow_requests(%User{} = user) do
-    user
-    |> Activity.follow_requests_for_actor()
-    |> join(:inner, [a], u in User, on: a.actor == u.ap_id)
-    |> where([a, u], not fragment("? @> ?", u.following, ^[user.follower_address]))
-    |> group_by([a, u], u.id)
-    |> select([a, u], u)
-    |> Repo.all()
-  end
+  defdelegate get_follow_requests(user), to: FollowingRelationship
 
   def increase_note_count(%User{} = user) do
     User
@@ -899,18 +852,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User do
 
   def increment_unread_conversation_count(_, _), do: :noop
 
-  def remove_duplicated_following(%User{following: following} = user) do
-    uniq_following = Enum.uniq(following)
-
-    if length(following) == length(uniq_following) do
-      {:ok, user}
-    else
-      user
-      |> update_changeset(%{following: uniq_following})
-      |> update_and_set_cache()
-    end
-  end
-
   @spec get_users_from_set([String.t()], boolean()) :: [User.t()]
   def get_users_from_set(ap_ids, local_only \\ true) do
     criteria = %{ap_id: ap_ids, deactivated: false}
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/user/query.ex b/lib/pleroma/user/query.ex
index 2baf016cf..f32def4f5 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/user/query.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/user/query.ex
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User.Query do
   """
   import Ecto.Query
   import Pleroma.Web.AdminAPI.Search, only: [not_empty_string: 1]
+
+  alias Pleroma.FollowingRelationship
   alias Pleroma.User
 
   @type criteria ::
@@ -130,18 +132,40 @@ defmodule Pleroma.User.Query do
     |> where([u], not is_nil(u.nickname))
   end
 
-  defp compose_query({:followers, %User{id: id, follower_address: follower_address}}, query) do
-    where(query, [u], fragment("? <@ ?", ^[follower_address], u.following))
+  defp compose_query({:followers, %User{id: id}}, query) do
+    query
     |> where([u], u.id != ^id)
+    |> join(:inner, [u], r in FollowingRelationship,
+      as: :relationships,
+      on: r.following_id == ^id and r.follower_id == u.id
+    )
+    |> where([relationships: r], r.state == "accept")
   end
 
-  defp compose_query({:friends, %User{id: id, following: following}}, query) do
-    where(query, [u], u.follower_address in ^following)
+  defp compose_query({:friends, %User{id: id}}, query) do
+    query
     |> where([u], u.id != ^id)
+    |> join(:inner, [u], r in FollowingRelationship,
+      as: :relationships,
+      on: r.following_id == u.id and r.follower_id == ^id
+    )
+    |> where([relationships: r], r.state == "accept")
   end
 
   defp compose_query({:recipients_from_activity, to}, query) do
-    where(query, [u], u.ap_id in ^to or fragment("? && ?", u.following, ^to))
+    query
+    |> join(:left, [u], r in FollowingRelationship,
+      as: :relationships,
+      on: r.follower_id == u.id
+    )
+    |> join(:left, [relationships: r], f in User,
+      as: :following,
+      on: f.id == r.following_id
+    )
+    |> where(
+      [u, following: f, relationships: r],
+      u.ap_id in ^to or (f.follower_address in ^to and r.state == "accept")
+    )
   end
 
   defp compose_query({:order_by, key}, query) do
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub.ex
index 9f29087df..db0855329 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub.ex
@@ -501,7 +501,9 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPub do
     public = [Pleroma.Constants.as_public()]
 
     recipients =
-      if opts["user"], do: [opts["user"].ap_id | opts["user"].following] ++ public, else: public
+      if opts["user"],
+        do: [opts["user"].ap_id | User.following(opts["user"])] ++ public,
+        else: public
 
     from(activity in Activity)
     |> maybe_preload_objects(opts)
@@ -652,7 +654,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPub do
 
   defp user_activities_recipients(%{"reading_user" => reading_user}) do
     if reading_user do
-      [Pleroma.Constants.as_public()] ++ [reading_user.ap_id | reading_user.following]
+      [Pleroma.Constants.as_public()] ++ [reading_user.ap_id | User.following(reading_user)]
     else
       [Pleroma.Constants.as_public()]
     end
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex
index 080030eb5..9010eab91 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex
@@ -319,12 +319,12 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPubController do
       when page? in [true, "true"] do
     activities =
       if params["max_id"] do
-        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user.ap_id | user.following], %{
+        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user.ap_id | User.following(user)], %{
           "max_id" => params["max_id"],
           "limit" => 10
         })
       else
-        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user.ap_id | user.following], %{"limit" => 10})
+        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user.ap_id | User.following(user)], %{"limit" => 10})
       end
 
     conn
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier.ex
index 872ed0eb2..54ba49520 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier.ex
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
   A module to handle coding from internal to wire ActivityPub and back.
   """
   alias Pleroma.Activity
+  alias Pleroma.FollowingRelationship
   alias Pleroma.Object
   alias Pleroma.Object.Containment
   alias Pleroma.Repo
@@ -474,7 +475,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
            {_, false} <- {:user_locked, User.locked?(followed)},
            {_, {:ok, follower}} <- {:follow, User.follow(follower, followed)},
            {_, {:ok, _}} <-
-             {:follow_state_update, Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(activity, "accept")} do
+             {:follow_state_update, Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(activity, "accept")},
+           {:ok, _relationship} <- FollowingRelationship.update(follower, followed, "accept") do
         ActivityPub.accept(%{
           to: [follower.ap_id],
           actor: followed,
@@ -484,6 +486,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
       else
         {:user_blocked, true} ->
           {:ok, _} = Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(activity, "reject")
+          {:ok, _relationship} = FollowingRelationship.update(follower, followed, "reject")
 
           ActivityPub.reject(%{
             to: [follower.ap_id],
@@ -494,6 +497,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
 
         {:follow, {:error, _}} ->
           {:ok, _} = Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(activity, "reject")
+          {:ok, _relationship} = FollowingRelationship.update(follower, followed, "reject")
 
           ActivityPub.reject(%{
             to: [follower.ap_id],
@@ -522,7 +526,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
          {:ok, follow_activity} <- get_follow_activity(follow_object, followed),
          {:ok, follow_activity} <- Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(follow_activity, "accept"),
          %User{local: true} = follower <- User.get_cached_by_ap_id(follow_activity.data["actor"]),
-         {:ok, _follower} = User.follow(follower, followed) do
+         {:ok, _relationship} <- FollowingRelationship.update(follower, followed, "accept") do
       ActivityPub.accept(%{
         to: follow_activity.data["to"],
         type: "Accept",
@@ -544,6 +548,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
          {:ok, follow_activity} <- get_follow_activity(follow_object, followed),
          {:ok, follow_activity} <- Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(follow_activity, "reject"),
          %User{local: true} = follower <- User.get_cached_by_ap_id(follow_activity.data["actor"]),
+         {:ok, _relationship} <- FollowingRelationship.update(follower, followed, "reject"),
          {:ok, activity} <-
            ActivityPub.reject(%{
              to: follow_activity.data["to"],
@@ -552,8 +557,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
              object: follow_activity.data["id"],
              local: false
            }) do
-      User.unfollow(follower, followed)
-
       {:ok, activity}
     else
       _e -> :error
@@ -1050,46 +1053,24 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Transmogrifier do
   def perform(:user_upgrade, user) do
     # we pass a fake user so that the followers collection is stripped away
     old_follower_address = User.ap_followers(%User{nickname: user.nickname})
-
-    q =
-      from(
-        u in User,
-        where: ^old_follower_address in u.following,
-        update: [
-          set: [
-            following:
-              fragment(
-                "array_replace(?,?,?)",
-                u.following,
-                ^old_follower_address,
-                ^user.follower_address
-              )
-          ]
-        ]
-      )
-
-    Repo.update_all(q, [])
-
     maybe_retire_websub(user.ap_id)
 
-    q =
-      from(
-        a in Activity,
-        where: ^old_follower_address in a.recipients,
-        update: [
-          set: [
-            recipients:
-              fragment(
-                "array_replace(?,?,?)",
-                a.recipients,
-                ^old_follower_address,
-                ^user.follower_address
-              )
-          ]
+    from(
+      a in Activity,
+      where: ^old_follower_address in a.recipients,
+      update: [
+        set: [
+          recipients:
+            fragment(
+              "array_replace(?,?,?)",
+              a.recipients,
+              ^old_follower_address,
+              ^user.follower_address
+            )
         ]
-      )
-
-    Repo.update_all(q, [])
+      ]
+    )
+    |> Repo.update_all([])
   end
 
   def upgrade_user_from_ap_id(ap_id) do
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/visibility.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/visibility.ex
index 270d0fa02..47bc4e1ca 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/visibility.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/visibility.ex
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Visibility do
   end
 
   def visible_for_user?(activity, user) do
-    x = [user.ap_id | user.following]
+    x = [user.ap_id | User.following(user)]
     y = [activity.actor] ++ activity.data["to"] ++ (activity.data["cc"] || [])
     visible_for_user?(activity, nil) || Enum.any?(x, &(&1 in y))
   end
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/common_api/common_api.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/common_api/common_api.ex
index 386408d51..40b3930fb 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/common_api/common_api.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/common_api/common_api.ex
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.CommonAPI do
   alias Pleroma.Activity
   alias Pleroma.ActivityExpiration
   alias Pleroma.Conversation.Participation
+  alias Pleroma.FollowingRelationship
   alias Pleroma.Object
   alias Pleroma.ThreadMute
   alias Pleroma.User
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.CommonAPI do
     with {:ok, follower} <- User.follow(follower, followed),
          %Activity{} = follow_activity <- Utils.fetch_latest_follow(follower, followed),
          {:ok, follow_activity} <- Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(follow_activity, "accept"),
+         {:ok, _relationship} <- FollowingRelationship.update(follower, followed, "accept"),
          {:ok, _activity} <-
            ActivityPub.accept(%{
              to: [follower.ap_id],
@@ -54,6 +56,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.CommonAPI do
   def reject_follow_request(follower, followed) do
     with %Activity{} = follow_activity <- Utils.fetch_latest_follow(follower, followed),
          {:ok, follow_activity} <- Utils.update_follow_state_for_all(follow_activity, "reject"),
+         {:ok, _relationship} <- FollowingRelationship.update(follower, followed, "reject"),
          {:ok, _activity} <-
            ActivityPub.reject(%{
              to: [follower.ap_id],
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/controllers/timeline_controller.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/controllers/timeline_controller.ex
index 9f086a8c2..f2d2d3ccb 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/controllers/timeline_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/controllers/timeline_controller.ex
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.TimelineController do
 
   alias Pleroma.Pagination
   alias Pleroma.Plugs.OAuthScopesPlug
+  alias Pleroma.User
   alias Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPub
 
   plug(OAuthScopesPlug, %{scopes: ["read:statuses"]} when action in [:home, :direct])
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.TimelineController do
       |> Map.put("muting_user", user)
       |> Map.put("user", user)
 
-    recipients = [user.ap_id | user.following]
+    recipients = [user.ap_id | User.following(user)]
 
     activities =
       recipients
@@ -128,9 +129,12 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.TimelineController do
 
       # we must filter the following list for the user to avoid leaking statuses the user
       # does not actually have permission to see (for more info, peruse security issue #270).
+
+      user_following = User.following(user)
+
       activities =
         following
-        |> Enum.filter(fn x -> x in user.following end)
+        |> Enum.filter(fn x -> x in user_following end)
         |> ActivityPub.fetch_activities_bounded(following, params)
         |> Enum.reverse()
 
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/account_controller.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/account_controller.ex
index 9012e2175..7ce9d5da2 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/account_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/account_controller.ex
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.PleromaAPI.AccountController do
 
     recipients =
       if for_user do
-        [Pleroma.Constants.as_public()] ++ [for_user.ap_id | for_user.following]
+        [Pleroma.Constants.as_public()] ++ [for_user.ap_id | User.following(for_user)]
       else
         [Pleroma.Constants.as_public()]
       end
diff --git a/priv/repo/migrations/20191007073319_create_following_relationships.exs b/priv/repo/migrations/20191007073319_create_following_relationships.exs
index 7daaf0575..d49e24ee4 100644
--- a/priv/repo/migrations/20191007073319_create_following_relationships.exs
+++ b/priv/repo/migrations/20191007073319_create_following_relationships.exs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Repo.Migrations.CreateFollowingRelationships do
     execute(update_thread_visibility(), restore_thread_visibility())
   end
 
-  # The only difference with the original verion: `actor_user` replaced with `actor_user_following`
+  # The only difference between the original version: `actor_user` replaced with `actor_user_following`
   def update_thread_visibility do
     """
     CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION thread_visibility(actor varchar, activity_id varchar) RETURNS boolean AS $$
diff --git a/test/support/factory.ex b/test/support/factory.ex
index b180844cd..74f292a1d 100644
--- a/test/support/factory.ex
+++ b/test/support/factory.ex
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Factory do
       user
       | ap_id: User.ap_id(user),
         follower_address: User.ap_followers(user),
-        following_address: User.ap_following(user),
-        following: [User.ap_id(user)]
+        following_address: User.ap_following(user)
     }
   end
 
diff --git a/test/tasks/database_test.exs b/test/tasks/database_test.exs
index b63dcac00..bf5ba7883 100644
--- a/test/tasks/database_test.exs
+++ b/test/tasks/database_test.exs
@@ -72,25 +72,25 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.DatabaseTest do
   describe "running update_users_following_followers_counts" do
     test "following and followers count are updated" do
       [user, user2] = insert_pair(:user)
-      {:ok, %User{following: following, info: info} = user} = User.follow(user, user2)
+      {:ok, %User{info: info} = user} = User.follow(user, user2)
+
+      following = User.following(user)
 
       assert length(following) == 2
       assert info.follower_count == 0
 
       {:ok, user} =
         user
-        |> Ecto.Changeset.change(%{following: following ++ following})
         |> User.change_info(&Ecto.Changeset.change(&1, %{follower_count: 3}))
         |> Repo.update()
 
-      assert length(user.following) == 4
       assert user.info.follower_count == 3
 
       assert :ok == Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.Database.run(["update_users_following_followers_counts"])
 
       user = User.get_by_id(user.id)
 
-      assert length(user.following) == 2
+      assert length(User.following(user)) == 2
       assert user.info.follower_count == 0
     end
   end
diff --git a/test/tasks/relay_test.exs b/test/tasks/relay_test.exs
index c866608ab..04a1e45d7 100644
--- a/test/tasks/relay_test.exs
+++ b/test/tasks/relay_test.exs
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.RelayTest do
       target_user = User.get_cached_by_ap_id(target_instance)
       follow_activity = Utils.fetch_latest_follow(local_user, target_user)
       User.follow(local_user, target_user)
-      assert "#{target_instance}/followers" in refresh_record(local_user).following
+      assert "#{target_instance}/followers" in User.following(local_user)
       Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.Relay.run(["unfollow", target_instance])
 
       cancelled_activity = Activity.get_by_ap_id(follow_activity.data["id"])
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.RelayTest do
       assert undo_activity.data["type"] == "Undo"
       assert undo_activity.data["actor"] == local_user.ap_id
       assert undo_activity.data["object"] == cancelled_activity.data
-      refute "#{target_instance}/followers" in refresh_record(local_user).following
+      refute "#{target_instance}/followers" in User.following(local_user)
     end
   end
 
@@ -78,20 +78,18 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.RelayTest do
 
       refute_receive {:mix_shell, :info, _}
 
-      Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Relay.get_actor()
-      |> Ecto.Changeset.change(
-        following: [
-          "http://test-app.com/user/test1",
-          "http://test-app.com/user/test1",
-          "http://test-app-42.com/user/test1"
-        ]
-      )
-      |> Pleroma.User.update_and_set_cache()
+      relay_user = Relay.get_actor()
+
+      ["http://mastodon.example.org/users/admin", "https://mstdn.io/users/mayuutann"]
+      |> Enum.each(fn ap_id ->
+        {:ok, user} = User.get_or_fetch_by_ap_id(ap_id)
+        User.follow(relay_user, user)
+      end)
 
       :ok = Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.Relay.run(["list"])
 
-      assert_receive {:mix_shell, :info, ["test-app.com"]}
-      assert_receive {:mix_shell, :info, ["test-app-42.com"]}
+      assert_receive {:mix_shell, :info, ["mstdn.io"]}
+      assert_receive {:mix_shell, :info, ["mastodon.example.org"]}
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/test/tasks/user_test.exs b/test/tasks/user_test.exs
index cf12d9ed6..c0e4ba85c 100644
--- a/test/tasks/user_test.exs
+++ b/test/tasks/user_test.exs
@@ -139,7 +139,8 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.UserTest do
   describe "running unsubscribe" do
     test "user is unsubscribed" do
       followed = insert(:user)
-      user = insert(:user, %{following: [User.ap_followers(followed)]})
+      user = insert(:user)
+      User.follow(user, followed, "accept")
 
       Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.User.run(["unsubscribe", user.nickname])
 
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ defmodule Mix.Tasks.Pleroma.UserTest do
       assert message =~ "Successfully unsubscribed"
 
       user = User.get_cached_by_nickname(user.nickname)
-      assert Enum.empty?(user.following)
+      assert Enum.empty?(User.get_friends(user))
       assert user.info.deactivated
     end
 
diff --git a/test/user_test.exs b/test/user_test.exs
index 019e7b400..85e55876d 100644
--- a/test/user_test.exs
+++ b/test/user_test.exs
@@ -88,10 +88,9 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
     CommonAPI.follow(pending_follower, locked)
     CommonAPI.follow(pending_follower, locked)
     CommonAPI.follow(accepted_follower, locked)
-    User.follow(accepted_follower, locked)
+    Pleroma.FollowingRelationship.update(accepted_follower, locked, "accept")
 
-    assert [activity] = User.get_follow_requests(locked)
-    assert activity
+    assert [^pending_follower] = User.get_follow_requests(locked)
   end
 
   test "clears follow requests when requester is blocked" do
@@ -136,10 +135,10 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
     followed_two = insert(:user)
 
     {:ok, user} = User.follow_all(user, [followed_zero, followed_one])
-    assert length(user.following) == 3
+    assert length(User.following(user)) == 3
 
     {:ok, user} = User.follow_all(user, [followed_one, followed_two])
-    assert length(user.following) == 4
+    assert length(User.following(user)) == 4
   end
 
   test "follow takes a user and another user" do
@@ -153,7 +152,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
     followed = User.get_cached_by_ap_id(followed.ap_id)
     assert followed.info.follower_count == 1
 
-    assert User.ap_followers(followed) in user.following
+    assert User.ap_followers(followed) in User.following(user)
   end
 
   test "can't follow a deactivated users" do
@@ -198,7 +197,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
   #   assert followed.local == false
 
   #   {:ok, user} = User.follow(user, followed)
-  #   assert User.ap_followers(followed) in user.following
+  #   assert User.ap_followers(followed) in User.following(user)
 
   #   query = from w in WebsubClientSubscription,
   #   where: w.topic == ^followed.info["topic"]
@@ -235,26 +234,29 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
           nickname: "fuser2",
           ap_id: "http://localhost:4001/users/fuser2",
           follower_address: "http://localhost:4001/users/fuser2/followers",
-          following_address: "http://localhost:4001/users/fuser2/following",
-          following: [User.ap_followers(followed)]
+          following_address: "http://localhost:4001/users/fuser2/following"
         })
 
+      {:ok, user} = User.follow(user, followed, "accept")
+
       {:ok, user, _activity} = User.unfollow(user, followed)
 
       user = User.get_cached_by_id(user.id)
 
-      assert user.following == []
+      assert User.following(user) == [user.follower_address]
     end
 
     test "unfollow takes a user and another user" do
       followed = insert(:user)
-      user = insert(:user, %{following: [User.ap_followers(followed)]})
+      user = insert(:user)
+
+      {:ok, user} = User.follow(user, followed, "accept")
+
+      assert User.following(user) == [user.follower_address, followed.follower_address]
 
       {:ok, user, _activity} = User.unfollow(user, followed)
 
-      user = User.get_cached_by_id(user.id)
-
-      assert user.following == []
+      assert User.following(user) == [user.follower_address]
     end
 
     test "unfollow doesn't unfollow yourself" do
@@ -262,14 +264,14 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
 
       {:error, _} = User.unfollow(user, user)
 
-      user = User.get_cached_by_id(user.id)
-      assert user.following == [user.ap_id]
+      assert User.following(user) == [user.follower_address]
     end
   end
 
   test "test if a user is following another user" do
     followed = insert(:user)
-    user = insert(:user, %{following: [User.ap_followers(followed)]})
+    user = insert(:user)
+    User.follow(user, followed, "accept")
 
     assert User.following?(user, followed)
     refute User.following?(followed, user)
@@ -352,7 +354,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
       refute changeset.valid?
     end
 
-    test "it sets the password_hash, ap_id and following fields" do
+    test "it sets the password_hash and ap_id" do
       changeset = User.register_changeset(%User{}, @full_user_data)
 
       assert changeset.valid?
@@ -360,10 +362,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
       assert is_binary(changeset.changes[:password_hash])
       assert changeset.changes[:ap_id] == User.ap_id(%User{nickname: @full_user_data.nickname})
 
-      assert changeset.changes[:following] == [
-               User.ap_followers(%User{nickname: @full_user_data.nickname})
-             ]
-
       assert changeset.changes.follower_address == "#{changeset.changes.ap_id}/followers"
     end
 
@@ -671,37 +669,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
     end
   end
 
-  describe "remove duplicates from following list" do
-    test "it removes duplicates" do
-      user = insert(:user)
-      follower = insert(:user)
-
-      {:ok, %User{following: following} = follower} = User.follow(follower, user)
-      assert length(following) == 2
-
-      {:ok, follower} =
-        follower
-        |> User.update_changeset(%{following: following ++ following})
-        |> Repo.update()
-
-      assert length(follower.following) == 4
-
-      {:ok, follower} = User.remove_duplicated_following(follower)
-      assert length(follower.following) == 2
-    end
-
-    test "it does nothing when following is uniq" do
-      user = insert(:user)
-      follower = insert(:user)
-
-      {:ok, follower} = User.follow(follower, user)
-      assert length(follower.following) == 2
-
-      {:ok, follower} = User.remove_duplicated_following(follower)
-      assert length(follower.following) == 2
-    end
-  end
-
   describe "follow_import" do
     test "it imports user followings from list" do
       [user1, user2, user3] = insert_list(3, :user)
@@ -1010,7 +977,9 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
       assert [activity] == ActivityPub.fetch_public_activities(%{}) |> Repo.preload(:bookmark)
 
       assert [%{activity | thread_muted?: CommonAPI.thread_muted?(user2, activity)}] ==
-               ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user2.ap_id | user2.following], %{"user" => user2})
+               ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user2.ap_id | User.following(user2)], %{
+                 "user" => user2
+               })
 
       {:ok, _user} = User.deactivate(user)
 
@@ -1018,7 +987,9 @@ defmodule Pleroma.UserTest do
       assert [] == Pleroma.Notification.for_user(user2)
 
       assert [] ==
-               ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user2.ap_id | user2.following], %{"user" => user2})
+               ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user2.ap_id | User.following(user2)], %{
+                 "user" => user2
+               })
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/test/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_test.exs b/test/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_test.exs
index c9f2a92e7..75e928a14 100644
--- a/test/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_test.exs
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPubTest do
 
     {:ok, announce, _object} = CommonAPI.repeat(activity_three.id, booster)
 
-    [announce_activity] = ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user.ap_id | user.following])
+    [announce_activity] = ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user.ap_id | User.following(user)])
 
     assert announce_activity.id == announce.id
   end
@@ -1132,7 +1132,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPubTest do
         })
 
       activities =
-        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user1.ap_id | user1.following])
+        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user1.ap_id | User.following(user1)])
         |> Enum.map(fn a -> a.id end)
 
       private_activity_1 = Activity.get_by_ap_id_with_object(private_activity_1.data["id"])
@@ -1142,7 +1142,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPubTest do
       assert length(activities) == 3
 
       activities =
-        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user1.ap_id | user1.following], %{"user" => user1})
+        ActivityPub.fetch_activities([user1.ap_id | User.following(user1)], %{"user" => user1})
         |> Enum.map(fn a -> a.id end)
 
       assert [public_activity.id, private_activity_1.id] == activities
diff --git a/test/web/activity_pub/relay_test.exs b/test/web/activity_pub/relay_test.exs
index 0f7556538..e270cd4c3 100644
--- a/test/web/activity_pub/relay_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/activity_pub/relay_test.exs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.RelayTest do
 
   alias Pleroma.Activity
   alias Pleroma.Object
+  alias Pleroma.User
   alias Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPub
   alias Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.Relay
 
@@ -50,14 +51,14 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.RelayTest do
       service_actor = Relay.get_actor()
       ActivityPub.follow(service_actor, user)
       Pleroma.User.follow(service_actor, user)
-      assert "#{user.ap_id}/followers" in refresh_record(service_actor).following
+      assert "#{user.ap_id}/followers" in User.following(service_actor)
       assert {:ok, %Activity{} = activity} = Relay.unfollow(user.ap_id)
       assert activity.actor == "#{Pleroma.Web.Endpoint.url()}/relay"
       assert user.ap_id in activity.recipients
       assert activity.data["type"] == "Undo"
       assert activity.data["actor"] == service_actor.ap_id
       assert activity.data["to"] == [user.ap_id]
-      refute "#{user.ap_id}/followers" in refresh_record(service_actor).following
+      refute "#{user.ap_id}/followers" in User.following(service_actor)
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/test/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier_test.exs b/test/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier_test.exs
index 50c0bfb84..d96dcd2a0 100644
--- a/test/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/activity_pub/transmogrifier_test.exs
@@ -1312,7 +1312,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.TransmogrifierTest do
           follower_address: User.ap_followers(%User{nickname: "rye@niu.moe"})
         })
 
-      user_two = insert(:user, %{following: [user.follower_address]})
+      user_two = insert(:user)
+      Pleroma.FollowingRelationship.follow(user_two, user, "accept")
 
       {:ok, activity} = CommonAPI.post(user, %{"status" => "test"})
       {:ok, unrelated_activity} = CommonAPI.post(user_two, %{"status" => "test"})
@@ -1359,8 +1360,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.TransmogrifierTest do
       refute user.follower_address in unrelated_activity.recipients
 
       user_two = User.get_cached_by_id(user_two.id)
-      assert user.follower_address in user_two.following
-      refute "..." in user_two.following
+      assert User.following?(user_two, user)
+      refute "..." in User.following(user_two)
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/test/web/activity_pub/visibilty_test.exs b/test/web/activity_pub/visibilty_test.exs
index b62a89e68..4c2e0d207 100644
--- a/test/web/activity_pub/visibilty_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/activity_pub/visibilty_test.exs
@@ -212,7 +212,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.VisibilityTest do
 
     test "returns true if user following to author" do
       author = insert(:user)
-      user = insert(:user, following: [author.ap_id])
+      user = insert(:user)
+      Pleroma.User.follow(user, author)
 
       activity =
         insert(:note_activity,
diff --git a/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/account_controller_test.exs b/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/account_controller_test.exs
index 6a59c3d94..a398ef76a 100644
--- a/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/account_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/account_controller_test.exs
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.AccountControllerTest do
 
       conn =
         build_conn()
-        |> assign(:user, follower)
+        |> assign(:user, User.get_cached_by_id(follower.id))
         |> post("/api/v1/accounts/#{followed.id}/follow?reblogs=true")
 
       assert %{"showing_reblogs" => true} = json_response(conn, 200)
diff --git a/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/follow_request_controller_test.exs b/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/follow_request_controller_test.exs
index 4bf292df5..89b676201 100644
--- a/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/follow_request_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/mastodon_api/controllers/follow_request_controller_test.exs
@@ -16,9 +16,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.FollowRequestControllerTest do
       other_user = insert(:user)
 
       {:ok, _activity} = ActivityPub.follow(other_user, user)
-
-      user = User.get_cached_by_id(user.id)
-      other_user = User.get_cached_by_id(other_user.id)
+      {:ok, other_user} = User.follow(other_user, user, "pending")
 
       assert User.following?(other_user, user) == false
 
@@ -36,6 +34,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.FollowRequestControllerTest do
       other_user = insert(:user)
 
       {:ok, _activity} = ActivityPub.follow(other_user, user)
+      {:ok, other_user} = User.follow(other_user, user, "pending")
 
       user = User.get_cached_by_id(user.id)
       other_user = User.get_cached_by_id(other_user.id)
diff --git a/test/web/streamer/streamer_test.exs b/test/web/streamer/streamer_test.exs
index d33eb1e42..c674e71f5 100644
--- a/test/web/streamer/streamer_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/streamer/streamer_test.exs
@@ -169,7 +169,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.StreamerTest do
     test "it doesn't send to user if recipients invalid and thread containment is enabled" do
       Pleroma.Config.put([:instance, :skip_thread_containment], false)
       author = insert(:user)
-      user = insert(:user, following: [author.ap_id])
+      user = insert(:user)
+      User.follow(user, author, "accept")
 
       activity =
         insert(:note_activity,
@@ -191,7 +192,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.StreamerTest do
     test "it sends message if recipients invalid and thread containment is disabled" do
       Pleroma.Config.put([:instance, :skip_thread_containment], true)
       author = insert(:user)
-      user = insert(:user, following: [author.ap_id])
+      user = insert(:user)
+      User.follow(user, author, "accept")
 
       activity =
         insert(:note_activity,
@@ -213,7 +215,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.StreamerTest do
     test "it sends message if recipients invalid and thread containment is enabled but user's thread containment is disabled" do
       Pleroma.Config.put([:instance, :skip_thread_containment], false)
       author = insert(:user)
-      user = insert(:user, following: [author.ap_id], info: %{skip_thread_containment: true})
+      user = insert(:user, info: %{skip_thread_containment: true})
+      User.follow(user, author, "accept")
 
       activity =
         insert(:note_activity,
diff --git a/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs b/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs
index 9d4cb70f0..5234a5271 100644
--- a/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.TwitterAPI.UtilControllerTest do
         |> response(200)
 
       assert response =~ "Account followed!"
-      assert user2.follower_address in refresh_record(user).following
+      assert user2.follower_address in User.following(user)
     end
 
     test "returns error when user is deactivated", %{conn: conn} do
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.TwitterAPI.UtilControllerTest do
         |> response(200)
 
       assert response =~ "Account followed!"
-      assert user2.follower_address in refresh_record(user).following
+      assert user2.follower_address in User.following(user)
     end
 
     test "returns error when followee not found", %{conn: conn} do