diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/validate_html.py b/bookwyrm/tests/validate_html.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..64b1863d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/validate_html.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+""" html validation on rendered templates """
+from tidylib import tidy_document
+
+def validate_html(html):
+    """ run tidy on html """
+    _, errors = tidy_document(
+        html.content,
+        options={
+            "drop-empty-elements": False,
+            "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
+        },
+    )
+    # idk how else to filter out these unescape amp errs
+    errors = "\n".join(
+        e
+        for e in errors.split("\n")
+        if "&book" not in e and "id and name attribute" not in e
+    )
+    if errors:
+        raise Exception(errors)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_dashboard.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_dashboard.py
index 70cc40fe..f5875ed3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_dashboard.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_dashboard.py
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
-
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 class DashboardViews(TestCase):
     """every response to a get request, html or json"""
@@ -35,8 +34,5 @@ class DashboardViews(TestCase):
         request.user.is_superuser = True
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content)
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_email_blocks.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_email_blocks.py
index 24cdf8a4..6d676fd2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_email_blocks.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_email_blocks.py
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class EmailBlocklistViews(TestCase):
@@ -38,10 +38,7 @@ class EmailBlocklistViews(TestCase):
         result = view(request)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_blocklist_page_post(self):
@@ -54,10 +51,7 @@ class EmailBlocklistViews(TestCase):
         result = view(request)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
         self.assertTrue(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py
index 2501a81a..fbbd540e 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 import json
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.core.files.uploadedfile import SimpleUploadedFile
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
@@ -9,6 +8,7 @@ from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class FederationViews(TestCase):
@@ -48,16 +48,7 @@ class FederationViews(TestCase):
         request.user.is_superuser = True
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_instance_page(self):
@@ -70,10 +61,7 @@ class FederationViews(TestCase):
 
         result = view(request, server.id)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_server_page_block(self):
@@ -162,10 +150,7 @@ class FederationViews(TestCase):
 
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content)
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_add_view_post_create(self):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_ip_blocklist.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_ip_blocklist.py
index fb249b76..25694d07 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_ip_blocklist.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_ip_blocklist.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class IPBlocklistViews(TestCase):
@@ -37,8 +37,5 @@ class IPBlocklistViews(TestCase):
         result = view(request)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_reports.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_reports.py
index 456dff55..2b063446 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_reports.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_reports.py
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 import json
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class ReportViews(TestCase):
@@ -44,16 +44,7 @@ class ReportViews(TestCase):
 
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_reports_page_with_data(self):
@@ -66,16 +57,7 @@ class ReportViews(TestCase):
 
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_report_page(self):
@@ -89,10 +71,7 @@ class ReportViews(TestCase):
         result = view(request, report.id)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_report_comment(self):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_user_admin.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_user_admin.py
index 3336cf24..ef35c220 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_user_admin.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_user_admin.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.contrib.auth.models import Group
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
@@ -8,6 +7,7 @@ from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class UserAdminViews(TestCase):
@@ -36,10 +36,7 @@ class UserAdminViews(TestCase):
         request.user.is_superuser = True
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_user_admin_page(self):
@@ -52,10 +49,7 @@ class UserAdminViews(TestCase):
         result = view(request, self.local_user.id)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay")
@@ -77,10 +71,7 @@ class UserAdminViews(TestCase):
             result = view(request, self.local_user.id)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
 
         self.assertEqual(
             list(self.local_user.groups.values_list("name", flat=True)), ["editor"]
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_book.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_book.py
index b1da5479..28bd76c7 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_book.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 from io import BytesIO
 import pathlib
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from PIL import Image
 import responses
@@ -18,6 +17,7 @@ from django.utils import timezone
 
 from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
 from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class BookViews(TestCase):
@@ -68,22 +68,8 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.book.id)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        # idk how else to filter out these unescape amp errs
-        errors = "\n".join(
-            e
-            for e in errors.split("\n")
-            if "&book" not in e and "id and name attribute" not in e
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
+
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.books.books.is_api_request") as is_api:
@@ -123,21 +109,8 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.book.id, user_statuses="review")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        errors = "\n".join(
-            e
-            for e in errors.split("\n")
-            if "&book" not in e and "id and name attribute" not in e
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
+
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(result.context_data["statuses"].object_list[0], review)
 
@@ -145,21 +118,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.book.id, user_statuses="comment")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        errors = "\n".join(
-            e
-            for e in errors.split("\n")
-            if "&book" not in e and "id and name attribute" not in e
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(result.context_data["statuses"].object_list[0], comment)
 
@@ -167,21 +126,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.book.id, user_statuses="quotation")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        errors = "\n".join(
-            e
-            for e in errors.split("\n")
-            if "&book" not in e and "id and name attribute" not in e
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(result.context_data["statuses"].object_list[0], quote)
 
@@ -203,21 +148,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.books.books.is_api_request") as is_api:
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.work.id)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        errors = "\n".join(
-            e
-            for e in errors.split("\n")
-            if "&book" not in e and "id and name attribute" not in e
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(result.context_data["book"], self.book)
 
@@ -229,21 +160,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
         request.user.is_superuser = True
         result = view(request, self.book.id)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        errors = "\n".join(
-            e
-            for e in errors.split("\n")
-            if "&book" not in e and "id and name attribute" not in e
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_edit_book(self):
@@ -274,16 +191,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
         request.user = self.local_user
 
         result = view(request, self.book.id)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
 
         # the changes haven't been saved yet
         self.book.refresh_from_db()
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_editions.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_editions.py
index bbe29f52..48632675 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_editions.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/books/test_editions.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
@@ -8,6 +7,7 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
 from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class BookViews(TestCase):
@@ -45,16 +45,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.work.id)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertTrue("paperback" in result.context_data["formats"])
 
@@ -71,16 +62,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.work.id)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(len(result.context_data["editions"].object_list), 2)
         self.assertEqual(len(result.context_data["formats"]), 2)
@@ -91,16 +73,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.editions.is_api_request") as is_api:
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.work.id)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(len(result.context_data["editions"].object_list), 1)
 
@@ -108,16 +81,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.editions.is_api_request") as is_api:
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.work.id)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(len(result.context_data["editions"].object_list), 1)
 
@@ -125,16 +89,7 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.editions.is_api_request") as is_api:
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.work.id)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(len(result.context_data["editions"].object_list), 1)
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_block.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_block.py
index 6663aa63..b23a6cbc 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_block.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_block.py
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
@@ -46,10 +46,7 @@ class BlockViews(TestCase):
         request.user = self.local_user
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content)
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_block_post(self, _):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_change_password.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_change_password.py
index 17afb8f7..d13c2af5 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_change_password.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_change_password.py
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class ChangePasswordViews(TestCase):
@@ -35,10 +35,7 @@ class ChangePasswordViews(TestCase):
 
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content)
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_password_change(self):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_delete_user.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_delete_user.py
index 40a28d44..09f722f7 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_delete_user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_delete_user.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 import json
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.contrib.sessions.middleware import SessionMiddleware
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
@@ -9,6 +8,7 @@ from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 @patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.remove_user_task.delay")
@@ -53,10 +53,7 @@ class DeleteUserViews(TestCase):
         request.user = self.local_user
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content)
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task")
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_edit_user.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_edit_user.py
index 3dccf518..b52875a9 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_edit_user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/preferences/test_edit_user.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 import pathlib
 from unittest.mock import patch
 from PIL import Image
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.contrib.auth.models import AnonymousUser
 from django.core.files.base import ContentFile
@@ -12,6 +11,7 @@ from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 @patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.remove_user_task.delay")
@@ -58,10 +58,7 @@ class EditUserViews(TestCase):
         request.user = self.local_user
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content)
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_edit_user(self, _):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_directory.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_directory.py
index 0193d19d..4fe2aa05 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_directory.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_directory.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.contrib.auth.models import AnonymousUser
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
@@ -8,6 +7,7 @@ from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 # pylint: disable=unused-argument
 class DirectoryViews(TestCase):
@@ -52,16 +52,7 @@ class DirectoryViews(TestCase):
 
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_directory_page_empty(self):
@@ -72,10 +63,7 @@ class DirectoryViews(TestCase):
 
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(html.content, options={"drop-empty-elements": False})
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
     def test_directory_page_logged_out(self):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py
index 741fca9c..557510d7 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.contrib.auth.models import AnonymousUser
 from django.http import Http404
@@ -10,6 +9,7 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from django.utils import timezone
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class GoalViews(TestCase):
@@ -62,16 +62,7 @@ class GoalViews(TestCase):
         request.user = self.local_user
 
         result = view(request, self.local_user.localname, self.year)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
 
     def test_goal_page_anonymous(self):
@@ -102,16 +93,7 @@ class GoalViews(TestCase):
         request.user = self.rat
 
         result = view(request, self.local_user.localname, timezone.now().year)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
 
     def test_goal_page_private(self):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_shelf.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_shelf.py
index d769d93c..b78e241c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_shelf.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_shelf.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 import json
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
@@ -10,6 +9,7 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
 from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
@@ -56,16 +56,7 @@ class ShelfViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, self.local_user.username, shelf.identifier)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.shelf.is_api_request") as is_api:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_user.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_user.py
index f2d9b861..1183fa24 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_user.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 from unittest.mock import patch
-from tidylib import tidy_document
 
 from django.contrib.auth.models import AnonymousUser
 from django.http.response import Http404
@@ -10,6 +9,7 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
 from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 
 
 class UserViews(TestCase):
@@ -56,16 +56,7 @@ class UserViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, "mouse")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
         request.user = self.anonymous_user
@@ -73,16 +64,7 @@ class UserViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, "mouse")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.user.is_api_request") as is_api:
@@ -111,16 +93,7 @@ class UserViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, "mouse")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.user.is_api_request") as is_api:
@@ -151,16 +124,7 @@ class UserViews(TestCase):
             is_api.return_value = False
             result = view(request, "mouse")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
-        html = result.render()
-        _, errors = tidy_document(
-            html.content,
-            options={
-                "drop-empty-elements": False,
-                "warn-proprietary-attributes": False,
-            },
-        )
-        if errors:
-            raise Exception(errors)
+        validate_html(result.render())
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.views.user.is_api_request") as is_api: