diff --git a/bookwyrm/status.py b/bookwyrm/status.py
index 648f2e7d..9eec1fa2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/status.py
@@ -30,19 +30,3 @@ def create_generated_note(user, content, mention_books=None, privacy='public'):
             status.mention_books.add(book)
 
     return status
-
-
-def create_notification(user, notification_type, related_user=None, \
-        related_book=None, related_status=None, related_import=None):
-    ''' let a user know when someone interacts with their content '''
-    if user == related_user:
-        # don't create notification when you interact with your own stuff
-        return
-    models.Notification.objects.create(
-        user=user,
-        related_book=related_book,
-        related_user=related_user,
-        related_status=related_status,
-        related_import=related_import,
-        notification_type=notification_type,
-    )