diff --git a/activitypub.py b/activitypub.py
index 92c3bff..e3eb759 100644
--- a/activitypub.py
+++ b/activitypub.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def actor(domain):
 
     # TODO: unify with common.actor()
     actor = {
-        **common.postprocess_as2(json_loads(user.actor_as2), user=user),
+        **common.postprocess_as2(user.actor_as2, user=user),
         'id': host_url(domain),
         # This has to be the domain for Mastodon etc interop! It seems like it
         # should be the custom username from the acct: u-url in their h-card,
@@ -126,10 +126,8 @@ def inbox(domain=None):
             return msg, 200
 
     activity_unwrapped = redirect_unwrap(activity)
-    activity_obj = Object(
-        id=id,
-        as2=json_dumps(activity_unwrapped),
-        source_protocol='activitypub')
+    activity_obj = Object(id=id, as2=activity_unwrapped,
+                          source_protocol='activitypub')
     activity_obj.put()
 
     if type == 'Accept':  # eg in response to a Follow
@@ -161,7 +159,7 @@ def inbox(domain=None):
         elif digest.removeprefix('SHA-256=') != expected:
             logger.warning('Invalid Digest header, required for HTTP Signature')
         else:
-            key_actor = json_loads(common.get_object(keyId, user=user).as2)
+            key_actor = common.get_object(keyId, user=user).as2
             key = key_actor.get("publicKey", {}).get('publicKeyPem')
             logger.info(f'Verifying signature for {request.path} with key {key}')
             try:
@@ -190,10 +188,7 @@ def inbox(domain=None):
             error("Couldn't find obj_id of object to update")
 
         obj = Object.get_by_id(obj_id) or Object(id=obj_id)
-        obj.populate(
-            as2=json_dumps(obj_as2),
-            source_protocol='activitypub',
-        )
+        obj.populate(as2=obj_as2, source_protocol='activitypub')
         obj.put()
 
         activity_obj.status = 'complete'
@@ -226,20 +221,20 @@ def inbox(domain=None):
     # fetch actor if necessary so we have name, profile photo, etc
     if actor and isinstance(actor, str):
         actor = activity['actor'] = activity_unwrapped['actor'] = \
-            json_loads(common.get_object(actor, user=user).as2)
+            common.get_object(actor, user=user).as2
 
     # fetch object if necessary so we can render it in feeds
     inner_obj = activity_unwrapped.get('object')
     if type in FETCH_OBJECT_TYPES and isinstance(inner_obj, str):
         obj = Object.get_by_id(inner_obj) or common.get_object(inner_obj, user=user)
         obj_as2 = activity['object'] = activity_unwrapped['object'] = \
-            json_loads(obj.as2) if obj.as2 else as2.from_as1(json_loads(obj.as1))
+            obj.as2 if obj.as2 else as2.from_as1(obj.as1)
 
     if type == 'Follow':
         resp = accept_follow(activity, activity_unwrapped, user)
 
     # send webmentions to each target
-    activity_obj.as2 = json_dumps(activity_unwrapped)
+    activity_obj.as2 = activity_unwrapped
     common.send_webmentions(as2.to_as1(activity), activity_obj, proxy=True)
 
     # deliver original posts and reposts to followers
@@ -305,7 +300,7 @@ def accept_follow(follow, follow_unwrapped, user):
 
     # store Follower
     follower = Follower.get_or_create(dest=user.key.id(), src=follower_id,
-                                      last_follow=json_dumps(follow))
+                                      last_follow=follow)
     follower.status = 'active'
     follower.put()
 
diff --git a/common.py b/common.py
index e44ba59..c98990e 100644
--- a/common.py
+++ b/common.py
@@ -158,8 +158,7 @@ def get_object(id, user=None):
       logging.warning(f'Wiping out mf2 property: {obj.mf2}')
       obj.mf2 = None
 
-    obj.populate(as2=json_dumps(obj_as2),
-                 source_protocol='activitypub')
+    obj.populate(as2=obj_as2, source_protocol='activitypub')
     obj.put()
     return obj
 
diff --git a/follow.py b/follow.py
index 329a001..9be321b 100644
--- a/follow.py
+++ b/follow.py
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class FollowCallback(indieauth.Callback):
             flash(f"Couldn't find ActivityPub profile link for {addr}")
             return redirect(f'/user/{domain}/following')
 
-        followee = json_loads(common.get_object(as2_url, user=user).as2)
+        followee = common.get_object(as2_url, user=user).as2
         id = followee.get('id')
         inbox = followee.get('inbox')
         if not id or not inbox:
@@ -175,11 +175,10 @@ class FollowCallback(indieauth.Callback):
        }
         common.signed_post(inbox, user=user, data=follow_as2)
 
-        follow_json = json_dumps(follow_as2, sort_keys=True)
         Follower.get_or_create(dest=id, src=domain, status='active',
-                                last_follow=follow_json)
+                                last_follow=follow_as2)
         Object(id=follow_id, domains=[domain], labels=['user', 'activity'],
-               source_protocol='ui', status='complete', as2=follow_json,
+               source_protocol='ui', status='complete', as2=follow_as2,
                ).put()
 
         link = common.pretty_link(util.get_url(followee) or id, text=addr)
@@ -229,13 +228,12 @@ class UnfollowCallback(indieauth.Callback):
             error(f'Bad state {state}')
 
         followee_id = follower.dest
-        last_follow = json_loads(follower.last_follow)
-        followee = last_follow['object']
+        followee = follower.last_follow['object']
 
         if isinstance(followee, str):
             # fetch as AS2 to get full followee with inbox
             followee_id = followee
-            followee = json_loads(common.get_object(followee_id, user=user).as2)
+            followee = common.get_object(followee_id, user=user).as2
 
         inbox = followee.get('inbox')
         if not inbox:
@@ -249,15 +247,14 @@ class UnfollowCallback(indieauth.Callback):
             'type': 'Undo',
             'id': unfollow_id,
             'actor': common.host_url(domain),
-            'object': last_follow,
+            'object': follower.last_follow,
        }
         common.signed_post(inbox, user=user, data=unfollow_as2)
 
         follower.status = 'inactive'
         follower.put()
         Object(id=unfollow_id, domains=[domain], labels=['user', 'activity'],
-               source_protocol='ui', status='complete',
-               as2=json_dumps(unfollow_as2, sort_keys=True),
+               source_protocol='ui', status='complete', as2=unfollow_as2,
                ).put()
 
         link = common.pretty_link(util.get_url(followee) or followee_id)
diff --git a/models.py b/models.py
index 34de3ef..fbc21da 100644
--- a/models.py
+++ b/models.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from flask import request
 from google.cloud import ndb
 from granary import as1, as2, bluesky, microformats2
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.appengine_info import DEBUG
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.models import StringIdModel
+from oauth_dropins.webutil.models import JsonProperty, StringIdModel
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import util
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class User(StringIdModel):
     has_redirects = ndb.BooleanProperty()
     redirects_error = ndb.TextProperty()
     has_hcard = ndb.BooleanProperty()
-    actor_as2 = ndb.TextProperty()
+    actor_as2 = JsonProperty()
     use_instead = ndb.KeyProperty()
 
     created = ndb.DateTimeProperty(auto_now_add=True)
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ class User(StringIdModel):
     def to_as1(self):
         """Returns this user as an AS1 actor dict, if possible."""
         if self.actor_as2:
-            return as2.to_as1(json_loads(self.actor_as2))
+            return as2.to_as1(self.actor_as2)
 
     def username(self):
         """Returns the user's preferred username.
@@ -143,9 +143,8 @@ class User(StringIdModel):
         domain = self.key.id()
 
         if self.actor_as2:
-            actor = json_loads(self.actor_as2)
             for url in [u.get('value') if isinstance(u, dict) else u
-                        for u in util.get_list(actor, 'url')]:
+                        for u in util.get_list(self.actor_as2, 'url')]:
                 if url and url.startswith('acct:'):
                     urluser, urldomain = util.parse_acct_uri(url)
                     if urldomain == domain:
@@ -177,7 +176,7 @@ class User(StringIdModel):
     def user_page_link(self):
         """Returns a pretty user page link with the user's name and profile picture."""
         domain = self.key.id()
-        actor = util.json_loads(self.actor_as2) if self.actor_as2 else {}
+        actor = self.actor_as2 or {}
         name = (actor.get('name') or
                 # prettify if domain, noop if username
                 util.domain_from_link(self.username()))
@@ -236,8 +235,7 @@ class User(StringIdModel):
 
         # check home page
         try:
-            _, _, actor_as2 = common.actor(self)
-            self.actor_as2 = json_dumps(actor_as2)
+            _, _, self.actor_as2 = common.actor(self)
             self.has_hcard = True
         except (BadRequest, NotFound):
             self.actor_as2 = None
@@ -280,22 +278,22 @@ class Object(StringIdModel):
     source_protocol = ndb.StringProperty(choices=PROTOCOLS)
     labels = ndb.StringProperty(repeated=True, choices=LABELS)
 
-    # these are all JSON. They're TextProperty, and not JsonProperty, so that
-    # their plain text is visible in the App Engine admin console. (JsonProperty
-    # uses a blob.)
-    as2 = ndb.TextProperty()  # only one of the rest will be populated...
-    bsky = ndb.TextProperty() # Bluesky / AT Protocol
-    mf2 = ndb.TextProperty()  # HTML microformats2
+    # TODO: switch back to ndb.JsonProperty if/when they fix it for the web console
+    # https://github.com/googleapis/python-ndb/issues/874
+    as2 = JsonProperty()  # only one of the rest will be populated...
+    bsky = JsonProperty() # Bluesky / AT Protocol
+    mf2 = JsonProperty()  # HTML microformats2
 
     @ndb.ComputedProperty
     def as1(self):
-        assert bool(self.as2) ^ bool(self.bsky) ^ bool(self.mf2), \
-            f'{bool(self.as2)} {bool(self.bsky)} {bool(self.mf2)}'
-        return (as2.to_as1(common.redirect_unwrap(json_loads(self.as2))) if self.as2
-                else bluesky.to_as1(json_loads(self.bsky)) if self.bsky
-                else microformats2.json_to_object(json_loads(self.mf2))
-                  if self.mf2
-                else None)
+        assert (self.as2 is not None) ^ (self.bsky is not None) ^ (self.mf2 is not None), \
+            f'{self.as2} {self.bsky} {self.mf2}'
+        if self.as2 is not None:
+            return as2.to_as1(common.redirect_unwrap(self.as2))
+        elif self.bsky is not None:
+            return bluesky.to_as1(self.bsky)
+        elif self.mf2 is not None:
+            return microformats2.json_to_object(self.mf2)
 
     @ndb.ComputedProperty
     def type(self):  # AS1 objectType, or verb if it's an activity
@@ -371,7 +369,7 @@ class Follower(StringIdModel):
     dest = ndb.StringProperty()
     # Most recent AP (AS2) JSON Follow activity. If inbound, must have a
     # composite actor object with an inbox, publicInbox, or sharedInbox.
-    last_follow = ndb.TextProperty()
+    last_follow = JsonProperty()
     status = ndb.StringProperty(choices=STATUSES, default='active')
 
     created = ndb.DateTimeProperty(auto_now_add=True)
@@ -403,7 +401,4 @@ class Follower(StringIdModel):
     def to_as2(self):
         """Returns this follower as an AS2 actor dict, if possible."""
         if self.last_follow:
-            last_follow = json_loads(self.last_follow)
-            person = last_follow.get('actor' if util.is_web(self.src) else 'object')
-            if person:
-                return person
+            return self.last_follow.get('actor' if util.is_web(self.src) else 'object')
diff --git a/pages.py b/pages.py
index 4a2908e..d999983 100644
--- a/pages.py
+++ b/pages.py
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ def fetch_objects(query, user):
         if isinstance(inner_obj, str):
             inner_obj = Object.get_by_id(inner_obj)
             if inner_obj:
-                inner_obj = json_loads(inner_obj.as1)
+                inner_obj = inner_obj.as1
 
         content = (inner_obj.get('content')
                    or inner_obj.get('displayName')
diff --git a/render.py b/render.py
index 26ef056..2665698 100644
--- a/render.py
+++ b/render.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ from granary import as2, atom, microformats2
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import flask_util
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.flask_util import error
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import util
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_loads
 
 from app import app, cache
 import common
diff --git a/tests/test_activitypub.py b/tests/test_activitypub.py
index ac05797..ba27aab 100644
--- a/tests/test_activitypub.py
+++ b/tests/test_activitypub.py
@@ -202,8 +202,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         super().setUp()
-        self.user = User.get_or_create('foo.com', has_hcard=True,
-                                       actor_as2=json_dumps(ACTOR))
+        self.user = User.get_or_create('foo.com', has_hcard=True, actor_as2=ACTOR)
 
     def test_actor(self, *_):
         got = self.client.get('/foo.com')
@@ -369,7 +368,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
             'url': 'https://foo.com/orig',
         }
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id=orig_url, as2=json_dumps(note)).put()
+            Object(id=orig_url, as2=note).put()
 
         repost = {
             **REPOST_FULL,
@@ -559,7 +558,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
                            object_ids=[FOLLOW['object']])
 
         follower = Follower.query().get()
-        self.assertEqual(FOLLOW_WRAPPED_WITH_ACTOR, json_loads(follower.last_follow))
+        self.assertEqual(FOLLOW_WRAPPED_WITH_ACTOR, follower.last_follow)
 
     def test_inbox_follow_accept_with_object(self, *mocks):
         wrapped_user = {
@@ -583,7 +582,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         follower = Follower.query().get()
         follow['actor'] = ACTOR
-        self.assertEqual(follow, json_loads(follower.last_follow))
+        self.assertEqual(follow, follower.last_follow)
 
         follow.update({
             'object': unwrapped_user,
@@ -652,7 +651,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
         # check that the Follower doesn't have www
         follower = Follower.get_by_id(f'foo.com {ACTOR["id"]}')
         self.assertEqual('active', follower.status)
-        self.assertEqual(FOLLOW_WRAPPED_WITH_ACTOR, json_loads(follower.last_follow))
+        self.assertEqual(FOLLOW_WRAPPED_WITH_ACTOR, follower.last_follow)
 
     def test_inbox_undo_follow(self, mock_head, mock_get, mock_post):
         mock_head.return_value = requests_response(url='https://foo.com/')
@@ -850,7 +849,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual('active', other.key.get().status)
 
     def test_delete_note(self, _, mock_get, ___):
-        obj = Object(id='http://an/obj', as2='{}')
+        obj = Object(id='http://an/obj', as2={})
         obj.put()
 
         mock_get.side_effect = [
@@ -872,7 +871,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
         self.assert_entities_equal(obj, common.get_object.cache['http://an/obj'])
 
     def test_update_note(self, *mocks):
-        Object(id='https://a/note', as2='{}').put()
+        Object(id='https://a/note', as2={}).put()
         self._test_update(*mocks)
 
     def test_update_unknown(self, *mocks):
@@ -928,7 +927,7 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
                            object_ids=[LIKE['object']])
 
     def test_inbox_id_already_seen(self, *mocks):
-        obj_key = Object(id=FOLLOW_WRAPPED['id'], as2='{}').put()
+        obj_key = Object(id=FOLLOW_WRAPPED['id'], as2={}).put()
 
         got = self.client.post('/foo.com/inbox', json=FOLLOW_WRAPPED)
         self.assertEqual(200, got.status_code)
@@ -964,10 +963,10 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def store_followers(self):
         Follower.get_or_create('foo.com', 'https://bar.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR)
         Follower.get_or_create('http://other/actor', 'foo.com')
         Follower.get_or_create('foo.com', 'https://baz.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR)
         Follower.get_or_create('foo.com', 'baj.com', status='inactive')
 
     def test_followers_collection(self, *args):
@@ -1032,10 +1031,10 @@ class ActivityPubTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def store_following(self):
         Follower.get_or_create('https://bar.com', 'foo.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT)
         Follower.get_or_create('foo.com', 'http://other/actor')
         Follower.get_or_create('https://baz.com', 'foo.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT)
         Follower.get_or_create('baj.com', 'foo.com', status='inactive')
 
     def test_following_collection(self, *args):
diff --git a/tests/test_common.py b/tests/test_common.py
index f5d83b6..b42d8f5 100644
--- a/tests/test_common.py
+++ b/tests/test_common.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ from unittest import mock
 
 from granary import as2
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import appengine_config, util
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.testutil import requests_response
 import requests
 from werkzeug.exceptions import BadGateway
@@ -245,7 +244,7 @@ class CommonTest(testutil.TestCase):
         id = 'http://the/id'
         got = common.get_object(id)
         self.assert_equals(id, got.key.id())
-        self.assert_equals(AS2_OBJ, json_loads(got.as2))
+        self.assert_equals(AS2_OBJ, got.as2)
         mock_get.assert_has_calls([self.as2_req(id)])
 
         # second time is in cache
@@ -253,13 +252,13 @@ class CommonTest(testutil.TestCase):
         mock_get.reset_mock()
         got = common.get_object(id)
         self.assert_equals(id, got.key.id())
-        self.assert_equals(AS2_OBJ, json_loads(got.as2))
+        self.assert_equals(AS2_OBJ, got.as2)
         mock_get.assert_not_called()
 
     @mock.patch('requests.get')
     def test_get_object_datastore(self, mock_get):
         id = 'http://the/id'
-        stored = Object(id=id, as2=json_dumps(AS2_OBJ))
+        stored = Object(id=id, as2=AS2_OBJ)
         stored.put()
         common.get_object.cache.clear()
 
@@ -276,7 +275,7 @@ class CommonTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     @mock.patch('requests.get')
     def test_get_object_strips_fragment(self, mock_get):
-        stored = Object(id='http://the/id', as2=json_dumps(AS2_OBJ))
+        stored = Object(id='http://the/id', as2=AS2_OBJ)
         stored.put()
         common.get_object.cache.clear()
 
@@ -288,7 +287,7 @@ class CommonTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_get_object_datastore_no_as2(self, mock_get):
         """If the stored Object has no as2, we should fall back to HTTP."""
         id = 'http://the/id'
-        stored = Object(id=id, mf2='{}', status='in progress')
+        stored = Object(id=id, as2={}, status='in progress')
         stored.put()
         common.get_object.cache.clear()
 
@@ -296,7 +295,7 @@ class CommonTest(testutil.TestCase):
         mock_get.assert_has_calls([self.as2_req(id)])
 
         self.assert_equals(id, got.key.id())
-        self.assert_equals(AS2_OBJ, json_loads(got.as2))
+        self.assert_equals(AS2_OBJ, got.as2)
         mock_get.assert_has_calls([self.as2_req(id)])
 
         self.assert_object(id, as2=AS2_OBJ, as1=AS2_OBJ,
diff --git a/tests/test_follow.py b/tests/test_follow.py
index 883ed25..7dd72cc 100644
--- a/tests/test_follow.py
+++ b/tests/test_follow.py
@@ -198,8 +198,7 @@ class FollowTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         followers = Follower.query().fetch()
         self.assert_entities_equal(
-            Follower(id='https://bar/id alice.com',
-                     last_follow=json_dumps(expected_follow, sort_keys=True),
+            Follower(id='https://bar/id alice.com', last_follow=expected_follow,
                      src='alice.com', dest='https://bar/id', status='active'),
             followers,
             ignore=['created', 'updated'])
@@ -249,8 +248,7 @@ class FollowTest(testutil.TestCase):
         }
         followers = Follower.query().fetch()
         self.assert_entities_equal(
-            Follower(id='https://bar/id www.alice.com',
-                     last_follow=json_dumps(expected_follow, sort_keys=True),
+            Follower(id='https://bar/id www.alice.com', last_follow=expected_follow,
                      src='www.alice.com', dest='https://bar/id', status='active'),
             followers,
             ignore=['created', 'updated'])
@@ -301,7 +299,7 @@ class UnfollowTest(testutil.TestCase):
         super().setUp()
         self.user = User.get_or_create('alice.com')
         self.follower = Follower(
-            id='https://bar/id alice.com', last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_ADDRESS),
+            id='https://bar/id alice.com', last_follow=FOLLOW_ADDRESS,
             src='alice.com', dest='https://bar/id', status='active',
         ).put()
         self.state = util.encode_oauth_state({
@@ -335,10 +333,10 @@ class UnfollowTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def test_callback_last_follow_object_str(self, mock_get, mock_post):
         follower = self.follower.get()
-        follower.last_follow = json_dumps({
+        follower.last_follow = {
             **FOLLOW_ADDRESS,
             'object': FOLLOWEE['id'],
-        })
+        }
         follower.put()
 
         mock_get.side_effect = (
@@ -391,7 +389,7 @@ class UnfollowTest(testutil.TestCase):
         self.user.put()
 
         self.follower = Follower(
-            id='https://bar/id www.alice.com', last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_ADDRESS),
+            id='https://bar/id www.alice.com', last_follow=FOLLOW_ADDRESS,
             src='www.alice.com', dest='https://bar/id', status='active',
         ).put()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_models.py b/tests/test_models.py
index 4fe261d..288f0e0 100644
--- a/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/tests/test_models.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ from unittest import mock
 from flask import get_flashed_messages
 from granary import as2
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.testutil import requests_response
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 
 from app import app
 import common
@@ -58,13 +57,13 @@ class UserTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_address(self):
         self.assertEqual('@y.z@y.z', self.user.address())
 
-        self.user.actor_as2 = '{"type": "Person"}'
+        self.user.actor_as2 = {'type': 'Person'}
         self.assertEqual('@y.z@y.z', self.user.address())
 
-        self.user.actor_as2 = '{"url": "http://foo"}'
+        self.user.actor_as2 = {'url': 'http://foo'}
         self.assertEqual('@y.z@y.z', self.user.address())
 
-        self.user.actor_as2 = '{"url": ["http://foo", "acct:bar@foo", "acct:baz@y.z"]}'
+        self.user.actor_as2 = {'url': ['http://foo', 'acct:bar@foo', 'acct:baz@y.z']}
         self.assertEqual('@baz@y.z', self.user.address())
 
     def _test_verify(self, redirects, hcard, actor, redirects_error=None):
@@ -79,7 +78,7 @@ class UserTest(testutil.TestCase):
             if actor is None:
                 self.assertIsNone(self.user.actor_as2)
             else:
-                got = {k: v for k, v in json_loads(self.user.actor_as2).items()
+                got = {k: v for k, v in self.user.actor_as2.items()
                        if k in actor}
                 self.assert_equals(actor, got)
             self.assert_equals(redirects_error, self.user.redirects_error)
@@ -250,7 +249,7 @@ class ObjectTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def test_proxy_url(self):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            obj = Object(id='abc', as2='{}')
+            obj = Object(id='abc', as2={})
             self.assertEqual('http://localhost/render?id=abc', obj.proxy_url())
 
     def test_actor_link(self):
@@ -272,24 +271,24 @@ class ObjectTest(testutil.TestCase):
         }}),
         ):
             with app.test_request_context('/'):
-                obj = Object(id='x', as2=json_dumps(as2))
+                obj = Object(id='x', as2=as2)
                 self.assertEqual(expected, obj.actor_link())
 
     def test_actor_link_user(self):
-        user = User(id='foo.com', actor_as2='{"name": "Alice"}')
+        user = User(id='foo.com', actor_as2={"name": "Alice"})
         obj = Object(id='x', source_protocol='ui', domains=['foo.com'])
         self.assertEqual(
             '<a href="/user/foo.com"><img src="" class="profile"> Alice</a>',
             obj.actor_link(user))
 
     def test_put_updates_get_object_cache(self):
-        obj = Object(id='x', as2='{}')
+        obj = Object(id='x', as2={})
         obj.put()
         key = common.get_object.cache_key('x')
         self.assert_entities_equal(obj, common.get_object.cache[key])
 
     def test_put_fragment_id_doesnt_update_get_object_cache(self):
-        obj = Object(id='x#y', as2='{}')
+        obj = Object(id='x#y', as2={})
         obj.put()
 
         self.assertNotIn(common.get_object.cache_key('x#y'), common.get_object.cache)
@@ -301,9 +300,9 @@ class FollowerTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         super().setUp()
         self.inbound = Follower(dest='foo.com', src='http://bar/@baz',
-                                last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': ACTOR}))
+                                last_follow={'actor': ACTOR})
         self.outbound = Follower(dest='http://bar/@baz', src='foo.com',
-                                 last_follow=json_dumps({'object': ACTOR}))
+                                 last_follow={'object': ACTOR})
 
     def test_to_as1(self):
         self.assertEqual({}, Follower().to_as1())
diff --git a/tests/test_pages.py b/tests/test_pages.py
index b47b587..d54e9ef 100644
--- a/tests/test_pages.py
+++ b/tests/test_pages.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ from granary.tests.test_as1 import (
 )
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import util
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.testutil import requests_response
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 
 import common
 from models import Object, Follower, User
@@ -70,9 +69,8 @@ class PagesTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         user = User.get_by_id('orig')
         self.assertTrue(user.has_hcard)
-        actor_as2 = json_loads(user.actor_as2)
-        self.assertEqual('Person', actor_as2['type'])
-        self.assertEqual('http://localhost/orig', actor_as2['id'])
+        self.assertEqual('Person', user.actor_as2['type'])
+        self.assertEqual('http://localhost/orig', user.actor_as2['id'])
 
     def test_check_web_site_bad_url(self):
         got = self.client.post('/web-site', data={'url': '!!!'})
@@ -97,7 +95,7 @@ class PagesTest(testutil.TestCase):
         User.get_or_create('bar.com')
         Follower.get_or_create('bar.com', 'https://no/stored/follow')
         Follower.get_or_create('bar.com', 'https://masto/user',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR)
         got = self.client.get('/user/bar.com/followers')
         self.assert_equals(200, got.status_code)
 
@@ -118,7 +116,7 @@ class PagesTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_following(self):
         Follower.get_or_create('https://no/stored/follow', 'bar.com')
         Follower.get_or_create('https://masto/user', 'bar.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT)
         User.get_or_create('bar.com')
         got = self.client.get('/user/bar.com/following')
         self.assert_equals(200, got.status_code)
diff --git a/tests/test_redirect.py b/tests/test_redirect.py
index d251ca8..a6127b8 100644
--- a/tests/test_redirect.py
+++ b/tests/test_redirect.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 import copy
 
 from granary import as2
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 
 from app import app, cache
 from common import redirect_unwrap
@@ -73,8 +72,7 @@ class RedirectTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def _test_as2(self, content_type):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            self.obj = Object(id='https://foo.com/bar',
-                              as2=json_dumps(REPOST_AS2)).put()
+            self.obj = Object(id='https://foo.com/bar', as2=REPOST_AS2).put()
 
         resp = self.client.get('/r/https://foo.com/bar',
                               headers={'Accept': content_type})
@@ -88,7 +86,7 @@ class RedirectTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def test_as2_deleted(self):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id='https://foo.com/bar', as2='{}', deleted=True).put()
+            Object(id='https://foo.com/bar', as2={}, deleted=True).put()
 
         resp = self.client.get('/r/https://foo.com/bar',
                               headers={'Accept': as2.CONTENT_TYPE})
diff --git a/tests/test_render.py b/tests/test_render.py
index 1bc5b6c..112881d 100644
--- a/tests/test_render.py
+++ b/tests/test_render.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ from unittest import skip
 
 from granary import as2
 from granary.tests.test_as1 import COMMENT, DELETE_OF_ID, UPDATE
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps
 
 from app import app
 import common
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ class RenderTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def test_render(self):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id='abc', as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(COMMENT))).put()
+            Object(id='abc', as2=as2.from_as1(COMMENT)).put()
         resp = self.client.get('/render?id=abc')
         self.assertEqual(200, resp.status_code)
         self.assert_multiline_equals(EXPECTED_HTML, resp.get_data(as_text=True), ignore_blanks=True)
@@ -56,7 +55,7 @@ class RenderTest(testutil.TestCase):
         comment = copy.deepcopy(COMMENT)
         del comment['url']
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id='abc', as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(comment))).put()
+            Object(id='abc', as2=as2.from_as1(comment)).put()
 
         resp = self.client.get('/render?id=abc')
         self.assertEqual(200, resp.status_code)
@@ -70,7 +69,7 @@ class RenderTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_render_update_redirect(self):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
             # UPDATE's object field is a full object
-            Object(id='abc', as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(UPDATE))).put()
+            Object(id='abc', as2=as2.from_as1(UPDATE)).put()
 
         resp = self.client.get('/render?id=abc')
         self.assertEqual(301, resp.status_code)
@@ -81,7 +80,7 @@ class RenderTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_render_delete_redirect(self):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
             # DELETE_OF_ID's object field is a bare string id
-            Object(id='abc', as1=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(DELETE_OF_ID))).put()
+            Object(id='abc', as1=as2.from_as1(DELETE_OF_ID)).put()
 
         resp = self.client.get('/render?id=abc')
         self.assertEqual(301, resp.status_code)
diff --git a/tests/test_webfinger.py b/tests/test_webfinger.py
index 47a1a05..9c66d54 100644
--- a/tests/test_webfinger.py
+++ b/tests/test_webfinger.py
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@
 import html
 import urllib.parse
 
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
-
 import common
 from models import User
 from . import testutil
@@ -47,7 +45,7 @@ class WebfingerTest(testutil.TestCase):
             'icon': {'type': 'Image', 'url': 'https://foo.com/me.jpg'},
         }
         self.user = User.get_or_create('foo.com', has_hcard=True,
-                                       actor_as2=json_dumps(self.actor_as2))
+                                       actor_as2=self.actor_as2)
         self.user.put()
         self.expected_webfinger = {
             'subject': 'acct:foo.com@foo.com',
@@ -153,14 +151,14 @@ class WebfingerTest(testutil.TestCase):
                 self.assertEqual(self.expected_webfinger, got.json)
 
     def test_webfinger_custom_username(self):
-        self.user.actor_as2 = json_dumps({
+        self.user.actor_as2 = {
             **self.actor_as2,
             'url': [
                 'https://foo.com/about-me',
                 'acct:notthisuser@boop.org',
                 'acct:customuser@foo.com',
             ],
-        })
+        }
         self.user.put()
 
         self.expected_webfinger.update({
diff --git a/tests/test_webmention.py b/tests/test_webmention.py
index 810ffaa..d7a1dc5 100644
--- a/tests/test_webmention.py
+++ b/tests/test_webmention.py
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
             }],
         }
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id='http://a/reply', status='complete', mf2=json_dumps(mf2)).put()
+            Object(id='http://a/reply', status='complete', mf2=mf2).put()
 
         mock_get.side_effect = self.activitypub_gets
         mock_post.return_value = requests_response('abc xyz')
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_redo_repost_isnt_update(self, mock_get, mock_post):
         """Like and Announce shouldn't use Update, they should just resend as is."""
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id='http://a/repost', mf2='{}', status='complete').put()
+            Object(id='http://a/repost', mf2={}, status='complete').put()
 
         mock_get.side_effect = [self.repost, self.orig_as2, self.actor]
         mock_post.return_value = requests_response('abc xyz')
@@ -536,8 +536,7 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_skip_update_if_content_unchanged(self, mock_get, mock_post):
         """https://github.com/snarfed/bridgy-fed/issues/78"""
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id='http://a/reply', status='complete',
-                   mf2=json_dumps(self.reply_mf2['items'][0]),
+            Object(id='http://a/reply', status='complete', mf2=self.reply_mf2['items'][0],
                    delivered=[Target(uri='https://foo.com/inbox', protocol='activitypub')]
                    ).put()
         mock_get.side_effect = self.activitypub_gets
@@ -725,30 +724,30 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def make_followers():
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/aaa')
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/bbb',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    'publicInbox': 'https://public/inbox',
                                    'inbox': 'https://unused',
-                               }}))
+                               }})
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/ccc',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    'endpoints': {
                                        'sharedInbox': 'https://shared/inbox',
                                    },
-                               }}))
+                               }})
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/ddd',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    'inbox': 'https://inbox',
-                               }}))
+                               }})
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/ggg',
                                status='inactive',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    'inbox': 'https://unused/2',
-                               }}))
+                               }})
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/hhh',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    # dupe of eee; should be de-duped
                                    'inbox': 'https://inbox',
-                               }}))
+                               }})
 
     def test_create_post_run_task_new(self, mock_get, mock_post):
         mock_get.side_effect = [self.create, self.actor]
@@ -784,7 +783,7 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
             Object(id='https://orig/post', domains=['orig'], status='in progress',
-                   mf2=json_dumps(self.create_mf2['items'][0]),
+                   mf2=self.create_mf2['items'][0],
                    delivered=[Target(uri='https://skipped/inbox', protocol='activitypub')],
                    undelivered=[Target(uri='https://shared/inbox', protocol='activitypub')],
                    failed=[Target(uri='https://public/inbox', protocol='activitypub')],
@@ -793,9 +792,9 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
         self.make_followers()
         # already sent, should be skipped
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/eee',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    'inbox': 'https://skipped/inbox',
-                               }}))
+                               }})
 
         got = self.client.post('/_ah/queue/webmention', data={
             'source': 'https://orig/post',
@@ -827,7 +826,7 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
             Object(id='https://orig/post', domains=['orig'], status='in progress',
-                   mf2=json_dumps({**self.create_mf2, 'content': 'different'}),
+                   mf2={**self.create_mf2, 'content': 'different'},
                    delivered=[Target(uri='https://delivered/inbox', protocol='activitypub')],
                    undelivered=[Target(uri='https://shared/inbox', protocol='activitypub')],
                    failed=[Target(uri='https://public/inbox', protocol='activitypub')],
@@ -872,7 +871,7 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         Follower.get_or_create(
             'orig', 'https://mastodon/aaa',
-            last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {'inbox': 'https://inbox'}}))
+            last_follow={'actor': {'inbox': 'https://inbox'}})
 
         got = self.client.post('/_ah/queue/webmention', data={
             'source': 'https://orig/post',
@@ -930,10 +929,10 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual('https://foo.com/about-me a', followers[0].key.id())
         self.assertEqual('a', followers[0].src)
         self.assertEqual('https://foo.com/about-me', followers[0].dest)
-        self.assertEqual(self.follow_as2, json_loads(followers[0].last_follow))
+        self.assertEqual(self.follow_as2, followers[0].last_follow)
 
     def test_follow_no_actor(self, mock_get, mock_post):
-        self.user_orig.actor_as2 = json_dumps(self.follow_as2['actor'])
+        self.user_orig.actor_as2 = self.follow_as2['actor']
         self.user_orig.put()
 
         html = self.follow_html.replace(
@@ -1086,15 +1085,15 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
         mock_get.side_effect = [self.author]
         mock_post.return_value = requests_response('abc xyz')
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/ccc',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    'endpoints': {
                                        'sharedInbox': 'https://shared/inbox',
                                    },
-                               }}))
+                               }})
         Follower.get_or_create('orig', 'https://mastodon/ddd',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps({'actor': {
+                               last_follow={'actor': {
                                    'inbox': 'https://inbox',
-                               }}))
+                               }})
 
         got = self.client.post('/_ah/queue/webmention', data={
             'source': 'https://orig/',
@@ -1120,7 +1119,7 @@ class WebmentionTest(testutil.TestCase):
             'to': ['https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public'],
         })
 
-        got_as2 = json_loads(Object.get_by_id(id).as2)
+        got_as2 = Object.get_by_id(id).as2
         self.assert_object(id,
                            domains=['orig'],
                            source_protocol='webmention',
diff --git a/tests/test_xrpc_actor.py b/tests/test_xrpc_actor.py
index 060b5ba..3af425b 100644
--- a/tests/test_xrpc_actor.py
+++ b/tests/test_xrpc_actor.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """Unit tests for actor.py."""
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import util
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.testutil import requests_response
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 import requests
 
 from . import testutil
@@ -17,8 +16,7 @@ class XrpcActorTest(testutil.TestCase):
             'summary': "I'm a person",
             'image': [{'type': 'Image', 'url': 'http://foo.com/header.png'}],
         }
-        User.get_or_create('foo.com', has_hcard=True,
-                           actor_as2=json_dumps(actor)).put()
+        User.get_or_create('foo.com', has_hcard=True, actor_as2=actor).put()
 
         resp = self.client.get('/xrpc/app.bsky.actor.getProfile',
                                query_string={'actor': 'foo.com'})
diff --git a/tests/test_xrpc_feed.py b/tests/test_xrpc_feed.py
index 0f40f17..d0cb2b3 100644
--- a/tests/test_xrpc_feed.py
+++ b/tests/test_xrpc_feed.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ from granary.tests.test_bluesky import (
 )
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import util
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.testutil import requests_response
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 import requests
 from werkzeug.exceptions import BadGateway
 
@@ -81,17 +80,16 @@ class XrpcFeedTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         super().setUp()
-        User.get_or_create('foo.com', has_hcard=True,
-                           actor_as2=json_dumps(ACTOR)).put()
+        User.get_or_create('foo.com', has_hcard=True, actor_as2=ACTOR).put()
 
     def test_getAuthorFeed(self):
-        post_as2 = json_dumps(as2.from_as1(POST_AS))
+        post_as2 = as2.from_as1(POST_AS)
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
             Object(id='a', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['user'], as2=post_as2).put()
             Object(id='b', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['user'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(REPLY_AS))).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(REPLY_AS)).put()
             Object(id='c', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['user'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(REPOST_AS))).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(REPOST_AS)).put()
             # not outbound from user
             Object(id='d', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['feed'], as2=post_as2).put()
             # deleted
@@ -130,7 +128,7 @@ class XrpcFeedTest(testutil.TestCase):
     def test_getPostThread(self):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
             Object(id='http://a/post', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['user'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(POST_THREAD_AS))).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(POST_THREAD_AS)).put()
 
         resp = self.client.get('/xrpc/app.bsky.feed.getPostThread',
                                query_string={'uri': 'http://a/post'})
@@ -148,15 +146,15 @@ class XrpcFeedTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
     def test_getRepostedBy(self):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
-            Object(id='repost/1', domains=['foo.com'], as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1({
+            Object(id='repost/1', domains=['foo.com'], as2=as2.from_as1({
                 **REPOST_AS,
                 'object': 'http://a/post',
-            }))).put()
-            Object(id='repost/2', domains=['foo.com'], as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1({
+            })).put()
+            Object(id='repost/2', domains=['foo.com'], as2=as2.from_as1({
                 **REPOST_AS,
                 'object': 'http://a/post',
                 'actor': as2.to_as1(ACTOR),
-            }))).put()
+            })).put()
 
         got = self.client.get('/xrpc/app.bsky.feed.getRepostedBy',
                                query_string={'uri': 'http://a/post'})
diff --git a/tests/test_xrpc_graph.py b/tests/test_xrpc_graph.py
index dc21c25..d32ea59 100644
--- a/tests/test_xrpc_graph.py
+++ b/tests/test_xrpc_graph.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """Unit tests for graph.py."""
 from granary import bluesky
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.testutil import requests_response
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 import requests
 
 from .test_activitypub import ACTOR, FOLLOW, FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR, FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT
@@ -77,11 +76,11 @@ class XrpcGraphTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         Follower.get_or_create('foo.com', 'https://no/stored/follow')
         Follower.get_or_create('foo.com', 'https://masto/user',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_ACTOR)
         Follower.get_or_create('foo.com', 'http://other',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(other_follow))
+                               last_follow=other_follow)
         Follower.get_or_create('nope.com', 'http://nope',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(other_follow))
+                               last_follow=other_follow)
 
         resp = self.client.get('/xrpc/app.bsky.graph.getFollowers',
                               query_string={'user': 'foo.com'})
@@ -122,11 +121,11 @@ class XrpcGraphTest(testutil.TestCase):
 
         Follower.get_or_create('https://no/stored/follow', 'foo.com')
         Follower.get_or_create('https://masto/user', 'foo.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT))
+                               last_follow=FOLLOW_WITH_OBJECT)
         Follower.get_or_create( 'http://other', 'foo.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(other_follow))
+                               last_follow=other_follow)
         Follower.get_or_create('http://nope', 'nope.com',
-                               last_follow=json_dumps(other_follow))
+                               last_follow=other_follow)
 
         resp = self.client.get('/xrpc/app.bsky.graph.getFollows',
                               query_string={'user': 'foo.com'})
diff --git a/tests/testutil.py b/tests/testutil.py
index f8f2a3f..056d138 100644
--- a/tests/testutil.py
+++ b/tests/testutil.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ from granary.tests.test_as1 import (
 from oauth_dropins.webutil import testutil, util
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.appengine_config import ndb_client
 from oauth_dropins.webutil.testutil import requests_response
-from oauth_dropins.webutil.util import json_dumps, json_loads
 import requests
 
 from app import app, cache
@@ -52,19 +51,19 @@ class TestCase(unittest.TestCase, testutil.Asserts):
         with app.test_request_context('/'):
             # post
             Object(id='a', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['feed', 'notification'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(NOTE))).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(NOTE)).put()
             # different domain
             Object(id='b', domains=['bar.org'], labels=['feed', 'notification'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(MENTION))).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(MENTION)).put()
             # reply
             Object(id='d', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['feed', 'notification'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(COMMENT))).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(COMMENT)).put()
             # not feed/notif
             Object(id='e', domains=['foo.com'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(NOTE))).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(NOTE)).put()
             # deleted
             Object(id='f', domains=['foo.com'], labels=['feed', 'notification', 'user'],
-                   as2=json_dumps(as2.from_as1(NOTE)), deleted=True).put()
+                   as2=as2.from_as1(NOTE), deleted=True).put()
 
     def req(self, url, **kwargs):
         """Returns a mock requests call."""
@@ -112,14 +111,6 @@ class TestCase(unittest.TestCase, testutil.Asserts):
         if mf2 and 'items' in mf2:
             props['mf2'] = mf2['items'][0]
 
-        # sort keys in JSON properties
-        for prop in 'as2', 'bsky', 'mf2':
-            if prop in props:
-                props[prop] = json_dumps(props[prop], sort_keys=True)
-            got_val = getattr(got, prop, None)
-            if got_val:
-                setattr(got, prop, json_dumps(json_loads(got_val), sort_keys=True))
-
         for computed in 'type', 'object_ids':
             val = props.pop(computed, None)
             if val is not None:
diff --git a/webmention.py b/webmention.py
index 71c109b..707f4db 100644
--- a/webmention.py
+++ b/webmention.py
@@ -171,9 +171,9 @@ class Webmention(View):
             labels=['user'],
         )
         if self.source_as2:
-            obj.as2 = json_dumps(common.redirect_unwrap(self.source_as2))
+            obj.as2 = common.redirect_unwrap(self.source_as2)
         else:
-            obj.mf2 = json_dumps(self.source_mf2)
+            obj.mf2 = self.source_mf2
         if self.source_as1.get('objectType') == 'activity':
             obj.labels.append('activity')
 
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ class Webmention(View):
                 dest = ((target_as2.get('id') or util.get_first(target_as2, 'url'))
                         if target_as2 else util.get_url(self.source_as1, 'object'))
                 Follower.get_or_create(dest=dest, src=self.source_domain,
-                                       last_follow=json_dumps(self.source_as2))
+                                       last_follow=self.source_as2)
 
             try:
                 last = common.signed_post(inbox, user=self.user, data=self.source_as2,
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ class Webmention(View):
                 Follower.key > Key('Follower', self.source_domain + ' '),
                 Follower.key < Key('Follower', self.source_domain + chr(ord(' ') + 1))):
                 if follower.status != 'inactive' and follower.last_follow:
-                    actor = json_loads(follower.last_follow).get('actor')
+                    actor = follower.last_follow.get('actor')
                     if actor and isinstance(actor, dict):
                         inboxes.add(actor.get('endpoints', {}).get('sharedInbox') or
                                     actor.get('publicInbox') or
@@ -306,8 +306,7 @@ class Webmention(View):
         for target in targets:
             # fetch target page as AS2 object
             try:
-                target_obj = json_loads(
-                    common.get_object(target, user=self.user).as2)
+                target_obj = common.get_object(target, user=self.user).as2
             except (requests.HTTPError, BadGateway) as e:
                 resp = getattr(e, 'requests_response', None)
                 if resp and resp.ok:
@@ -330,7 +329,7 @@ class Webmention(View):
 
             if not inbox_url:
                 # fetch actor as AS object
-                actor = json_loads(common.get_object(actor, user=self.user).as2)
+                actor = common.get_object(actor, user=self.user).as2
                 inbox_url = actor.get('inbox')
 
             if not inbox_url: