diff --git a/blog.py b/blog.py
index d60e73b69..1cdb1d12f 100644
--- a/blog.py
+++ b/blog.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ from webapp_utils import html_footer
 from webapp_utils import get_post_attachments_as_html
 from webapp_utils import edit_text_area
 from webapp_media import add_embedded_elements
+from utils import text_in_file
 from utils import local_actor_url
 from utils import get_actor_languages_list
 from utils import get_base_content_from_post
@@ -929,8 +930,7 @@ def path_contains_blog_link(base_dir: str,
         acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/tlblogs.index'
     if not os.path.isfile(blog_index_filename):
         return None, None
-    if '#' + user_ending2[1] + '.' not in open(blog_index_filename,
-                                               encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file('#' + user_ending2[1] + '.', blog_index_filename):
         return None, None
     message_id = local_actor_url(http_prefix, nickname, domain_full) + \
         '/statuses/' + user_ending2[1]
diff --git a/bookmarks.py b/bookmarks.py
index 307b544f6..dbb31116f 100644
--- a/bookmarks.py
+++ b/bookmarks.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from utils import acct_dir
 from utils import local_actor_url
 from utils import has_actor
 from utils import has_object_string_type
+from utils import text_in_file
 from posts import get_person_box
 from session import post_json
 
@@ -71,8 +72,7 @@ def undo_bookmarks_collection_entry(recent_posts_cache: {},
     else:
         bookmark_index = post_filename.strip()
     bookmark_index = bookmark_index.replace('\n', '').replace('\r', '')
-    if bookmark_index not in open(bookmarks_index_filename,
-                                  encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(bookmark_index, bookmarks_index_filename):
         return
     index_str = ''
     try:
@@ -238,8 +238,7 @@ def update_bookmarks_collection(recent_posts_cache: {},
         acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/bookmarks.index'
     bookmark_index = post_filename.split('/')[-1]
     if os.path.isfile(bookmarks_index_filename):
-        if bookmark_index not in open(bookmarks_index_filename,
-                                      encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(bookmark_index, bookmarks_index_filename):
             try:
                 with open(bookmarks_index_filename, 'r+',
                           encoding='utf-8') as bmi_file:
diff --git a/conversation.py b/conversation.py
index 8b1e697e6..784d991d8 100644
--- a/conversation.py
+++ b/conversation.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import os
 from utils import has_object_dict
 from utils import acct_dir
 from utils import remove_id_ending
+from utils import text_in_file
 
 
 def _get_conversation_filename(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
@@ -50,8 +51,7 @@ def update_conversation(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
         except OSError:
             print('EX: update_conversation ' +
                   'unable to write to ' + conversation_filename)
-    elif post_id + '\n' not in open(conversation_filename,
-                                    encoding='utf-8').read():
+    elif not text_in_file(post_id + '\n', conversation_filename):
         try:
             with open(conversation_filename, 'a+',
                       encoding='utf-8') as conv_file:
diff --git a/filters.py b/filters.py
index 97ca31432..226aff75d 100644
--- a/filters.py
+++ b/filters.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ __module_group__ = "Moderation"
 
 import os
 from utils import acct_dir
+from utils import text_in_file
 
 
 def add_filter(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str, words: str) -> bool:
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ def remove_filter(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
     filters_filename = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/filters.txt'
     if not os.path.isfile(filters_filename):
         return False
-    if words not in open(filters_filename, encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(words, filters_filename):
         return False
     new_filters_filename = filters_filename + '.new'
     try:
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ def remove_global_filter(base_dir: str, words: str) -> bool:
     filters_filename = base_dir + '/accounts/filters.txt'
     if not os.path.isfile(filters_filename):
         return False
-    if words not in open(filters_filename, encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(words, filters_filename):
         return False
     new_filters_filename = filters_filename + '.new'
     try:
diff --git a/follow.py b/follow.py
index a9b482f71..0d2f89c07 100644
--- a/follow.py
+++ b/follow.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from utils import get_user_paths
 from utils import acct_dir
 from utils import has_group_type
 from utils import local_actor_url
+from utils import text_in_file
 from acceptreject import create_accept
 from acceptreject import create_reject
 from webfinger import webfinger_handle
@@ -115,8 +116,7 @@ def _remove_from_follow_base(base_dir: str,
                   ' to remove ' + handle + ' from')
         return
     accept_deny_actor = None
-    if accept_or_deny_handle not in open(approve_follows_filename,
-                                         encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(accept_or_deny_handle, approve_follows_filename):
         # is this stored in the file as an actor rather than a handle?
         accept_deny_nickname = accept_or_deny_handle.split('@')[0]
         accept_deny_domain = accept_or_deny_handle.split('@')[1]
@@ -317,8 +317,7 @@ def unfollow_account(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
             print('DEBUG: follow file ' + filename + ' was not found')
         return False
     handle_to_unfollow_lower = handle_to_unfollow.lower()
-    if handle_to_unfollow_lower not in open(filename,
-                                            encoding='utf-8').read().lower():
+    if not text_in_file(handle_to_unfollow_lower, filename, False):
         if debug:
             print('DEBUG: handle to unfollow ' + handle_to_unfollow +
                   ' is not in ' + filename)
@@ -708,8 +707,7 @@ def store_follow_request(base_dir: str,
             approve_handle = '!' + approve_handle
 
     if os.path.isfile(approve_follows_filename):
-        if approve_handle not in open(approve_follows_filename,
-                                      encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(approve_handle, approve_follows_filename):
             try:
                 with open(approve_follows_filename, 'a+',
                           encoding='utf-8') as fp_approve:
diff --git a/happening.py b/happening.py
index 49df1a9d1..c96f16e21 100644
--- a/happening.py
+++ b/happening.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from utils import get_display_name
 from utils import delete_post
 from utils import get_status_number
 from utils import get_full_domain
+from utils import text_in_file
 from filters import is_filtered
 from context import get_individual_post_context
 from session import get_method
@@ -70,8 +71,7 @@ def _remove_event_from_timeline(event_id: str,
                                 tl_events_filename: str) -> None:
     """Removes the given event Id from the timeline
     """
-    if event_id + '\n' not in open(tl_events_filename,
-                                   encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(event_id + '\n', tl_events_filename):
         return
     with open(tl_events_filename, 'r',
               encoding='utf-8') as fp_tl:
@@ -760,7 +760,7 @@ def remove_calendar_event(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
         return
     if '/' in message_id:
         message_id = message_id.replace('/', '#')
-    if message_id not in open(calendar_filename, encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(message_id, calendar_filename):
         return
     lines = None
     with open(calendar_filename, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as fp_cal:
diff --git a/inbox.py b/inbox.py
index 07b53c5f2..a7bc55008 100644
--- a/inbox.py
+++ b/inbox.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from languages import understood_post_language
 from like import update_likes_collection
 from reaction import update_reaction_collection
 from reaction import valid_emoji_content
+from utils import text_in_file
 from utils import get_media_descriptions_from_post
 from utils import get_summary_from_post
 from utils import delete_cached_html
@@ -2557,8 +2558,7 @@ def populate_replies(base_dir: str, http_prefix: str, domain: str,
                                            encoding='utf-8'))
         if num_lines > max_replies:
             return False
-        if message_id not in open(post_replies_filename,
-                                  encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(message_id, post_replies_filename):
             try:
                 with open(post_replies_filename, 'a+',
                           encoding='utf-8') as replies_file:
@@ -2875,7 +2875,7 @@ def _like_notify(base_dir: str, domain: str, onion_domain: str,
 
     like_file = account_dir + '/.newLike'
     if os.path.isfile(like_file):
-        if '##sent##' not in open(like_file).read():
+        if not text_in_file('##sent##', like_file):
             return
 
     liker_nickname = get_nickname_from_actor(actor)
@@ -2937,7 +2937,7 @@ def _reaction_notify(base_dir: str, domain: str, onion_domain: str,
 
     reaction_file = account_dir + '/.newReaction'
     if os.path.isfile(reaction_file):
-        if '##sent##' not in open(reaction_file, encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file('##sent##', reaction_file):
             return
 
     reaction_nickname = get_nickname_from_actor(actor)
@@ -4816,7 +4816,7 @@ def _receive_follow_request(session, session_onion, session_i2p,
             print('Updating followers file: ' +
                   followers_filename + ' adding ' + approve_handle)
             if os.path.isfile(followers_filename):
-                if approve_handle not in open(followers_filename).read():
+                if not text_in_file(approve_handle, followers_filename):
                     group_account = \
                         has_group_type(base_dir,
                                        message_json['actor'], person_cache)
diff --git a/manualapprove.py b/manualapprove.py
index bda5a8f5e..e78df3a7d 100644
--- a/manualapprove.py
+++ b/manualapprove.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from utils import remove_domain_port
 from utils import get_port_from_domain
 from utils import get_user_paths
 from utils import acct_dir
+from utils import text_in_file
 from threads import thread_with_trace
 from session import create_session
 
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ def _approve_follower_handle(account_dir: str, approve_handle: str) -> None:
     """
     approved_filename = account_dir + '/approved.txt'
     if os.path.isfile(approved_filename):
-        if approve_handle not in open(approved_filename).read():
+        if not text_in_file(approve_handle, approved_filename):
             try:
                 with open(approved_filename, 'a+') as approved_file:
                     approved_file.write(approve_handle + '\n')
@@ -280,8 +281,7 @@ def manual_approve_follow_request(session, session_onion, session_i2p,
         # update the followers
         print('Manual follow accept: updating ' + followers_filename)
         if os.path.isfile(followers_filename):
-            if approve_handle_full not in open(followers_filename,
-                                               encoding='utf-8').read():
+            if not text_in_file(approve_handle_full, followers_filename):
                 try:
                     with open(followers_filename, 'r+',
                               encoding='utf-8') as followers_file:
diff --git a/newsdaemon.py b/newsdaemon.py
index 5019803b7..11180de28 100644
--- a/newsdaemon.py
+++ b/newsdaemon.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ from utils import get_status_number
 from utils import clear_from_post_caches
 from utils import dangerous_markup
 from utils import local_actor_url
+from utils import text_in_file
 from inbox import store_hash_tags
 from session import create_session
 
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ def _update_feeds_outbox_index(base_dir: str, domain: str,
     index_filename = base_path + '/outbox.index'
 
     if os.path.isfile(index_filename):
-        if post_id not in open(index_filename, encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(post_id, index_filename):
             try:
                 with open(index_filename, 'r+') as feeds_file:
                     content = feeds_file.read()
diff --git a/notifyOnPost.py b/notifyOnPost.py
index f25fa9b48..2a2013a7f 100644
--- a/notifyOnPost.py
+++ b/notifyOnPost.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ __module_group__ = "Calendar"
 import os
 from utils import remove_domain_port
 from utils import acct_dir
+from utils import text_in_file
 
 
 def _notify_on_post_arrival(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
@@ -30,8 +31,7 @@ def _notify_on_post_arrival(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
     handle = following_nickname + '@' + following_domain
 
     # check that you are following this handle
-    if handle + '\n' not in open(following_filename,
-                                 encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(handle + '\n', following_filename):
         print('WARN: ' + handle + ' is not in ' + following_filename)
         return
 
diff --git a/person.py b/person.py
index 13b08117d..25b975aa9 100644
--- a/person.py
+++ b/person.py
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ from utils import get_user_paths
 from utils import get_group_paths
 from utils import local_actor_url
 from utils import dangerous_svg
+from utils import text_in_file
 from session import create_session
 from session import get_json
 from webfinger import webfinger_handle
@@ -1207,7 +1208,7 @@ def _remove_tags_for_nickname(base_dir: str, nickname: str,
             continue
         if not os.path.isfile(tag_filename):
             continue
-        if match_str not in open(tag_filename, encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(match_str, tag_filename):
             continue
         lines = []
         with open(tag_filename, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as fp_tag:
@@ -1358,8 +1359,7 @@ def is_person_snoozed(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
     snoozed_filename = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/snoozed.txt'
     if not os.path.isfile(snoozed_filename):
         return False
-    if snooze_actor + ' ' not in open(snoozed_filename,
-                                      encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(snooze_actor + ' ', snoozed_filename):
         return False
     # remove the snooze entry if it has timed out
     replace_str = None
@@ -1428,8 +1428,7 @@ def person_unsnooze(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
     snoozed_filename = account_dir + '/snoozed.txt'
     if not os.path.isfile(snoozed_filename):
         return
-    if snooze_actor + ' ' not in open(snoozed_filename,
-                                      encoding='utf-8').read():
+    if not text_in_file(snooze_actor + ' ', snoozed_filename):
         return
     replace_str = None
     with open(snoozed_filename, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as snoozed_file:
diff --git a/posts.py b/posts.py
index 5bb6577b0..03a5ed389 100644
--- a/posts.py
+++ b/posts.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ from webfinger import webfinger_handle
 from httpsig import create_signed_header
 from siteactive import site_is_active
 from languages import understood_post_language
+from utils import text_in_file
 from utils import get_media_descriptions_from_post
 from utils import valid_hash_tag
 from utils import get_audio_extensions
@@ -968,7 +969,7 @@ def _update_hashtags_index(base_dir: str, tag: {}, new_post_id: str) -> None:
                   tags_filename)
     else:
         # prepend to tags index file
-        if tagline not in open(tags_filename, encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(tagline, tags_filename):
             try:
                 with open(tags_filename, 'r+', encoding='utf-8') as tags_file:
                     content = tags_file.read()
@@ -990,8 +991,7 @@ def _add_schedule_post(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
 
     index_str = event_date_str + ' ' + post_id.replace('/', '#')
     if os.path.isfile(schedule_index_filename):
-        if index_str not in open(schedule_index_filename,
-                                 encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(index_str, schedule_index_filename):
             try:
                 with open(schedule_index_filename, 'r+',
                           encoding='utf-8') as schedule_file:
diff --git a/question.py b/question.py
index 5ef6829f3..2e36efe36 100644
--- a/question.py
+++ b/question.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from utils import locate_post
 from utils import load_json
 from utils import save_json
 from utils import has_object_dict
+from utils import text_in_file
 
 
 def question_update_votes(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
@@ -74,8 +75,7 @@ def question_update_votes(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
         except OSError:
             print('EX: unable to write voters file ' + voters_filename)
     else:
-        if reply_json['actor'] not in open(voters_filename,
-                                           encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file(reply_json['actor'], voters_filename):
             # append to the voters file
             try:
                 with open(voters_filename, 'a+',
diff --git a/roles.py b/roles.py
index 7fc649d79..b0ab280d1 100644
--- a/roles.py
+++ b/roles.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from utils import save_json
 from utils import get_status_number
 from utils import remove_domain_port
 from utils import acct_dir
+from utils import text_in_file
 
 
 def _clear_role_status(base_dir: str, role: str) -> None:
@@ -28,8 +29,7 @@ def _clear_role_status(base_dir: str, role: str) -> None:
         if not filename.endswith(".json"):
             continue
         filename = os.path.join(base_dir + '/accounts/', filename)
-        if '"' + role + '"' not in open(filename,
-                                        encoding='utf-8').read():
+        if not text_in_file('"' + role + '"', filename):
             continue
         actor_json = load_json(filename)
         if not actor_json:
diff --git a/tests.py b/tests.py
index 8168c2c33..996ac489d 100644
--- a/tests.py
+++ b/tests.py
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ from follow import clear_followers
 from follow import send_follow_request_via_server
 from follow import send_unfollow_request_via_server
 from siteactive import site_is_active
+from utils import text_in_file
 from utils import convert_published_to_local_timezone
 from utils import convert_to_snake_case
 from utils import get_sha_256
@@ -3467,10 +3468,10 @@ def test_client_to_server(base_dir: str):
 
     assert os.path.isfile(bob_followers_filename)
     assert os.path.isfile(alice_following_filename)
-    assert 'alice@' + alice_domain + ':' + str(alice_port) \
-        not in open(bob_followers_filename, encoding='utf-8').read()
-    assert 'bob@' + bob_domain + ':' + str(bob_port) \
-        not in open(alice_following_filename, encoding='utf-8').read()
+    test_str = 'alice@' + alice_domain + ':' + str(alice_port)
+    assert not text_in_file(test_str, bob_followers_filename)
+    test_str = 'bob@' + bob_domain + ':' + str(bob_port)
+    assert not text_in_file(test_str, alice_following_filename)
     assert valid_inbox(bob_dir, 'bob', bob_domain)
     assert valid_inbox_filenames(bob_dir, 'bob', bob_domain,
                                  alice_domain, alice_port)
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 303e6d5c4..d4ab98c05 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -40,13 +40,17 @@ INVALID_CHARACTERS = (
 )
 
 
-def text_in_file(text: str, filename: str) -> bool:
+def text_in_file(text: str, filename: str, case_sensitive: bool = True) -> bool:
     """is the given text in the given file?
     """
+    if not case_sensitive:
+        text = text.lower()
     try:
         with open(filename, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as file:
             content = file.read()
             if content:
+                if not case_sensitive:
+                    content = content.lower()
                 if text in content:
                     return True
     except OSError: