diff --git a/fedireads/activitypub/__init__.py b/fedireads/activitypub/__init__.py
index d934ae89c..c8eed0150 100644
--- a/fedireads/activitypub/__init__.py
+++ b/fedireads/activitypub/__init__.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from .follow import get_follow_request, get_unfollow, get_accept, get_reject
 from .outbox import get_outbox, get_outbox_page
 from .shelve import get_add, get_remove
 from .status import get_review, get_review_article
+from .status import get_rating, get_rating_note
 from .status import get_comment, get_comment_article
 from .status import get_status, get_replies, get_replies_page
 from .status import get_favorite, get_unfavorite
diff --git a/fedireads/activitypub/status.py b/fedireads/activitypub/status.py
index 318253c08..3a4f32c6a 100644
--- a/fedireads/activitypub/status.py
+++ b/fedireads/activitypub/status.py
@@ -4,6 +4,16 @@ from uuid import uuid4
 from fedireads.settings import DOMAIN
 
 
+def get_rating(review):
+    ''' activitypub serialize rating activity '''
+    status = get_status(review)
+    status['inReplyToBook'] = review.book.absolute_id
+    status['fedireadsType'] = review.status_type
+    status['rating'] = review.rating
+    status['content'] = '%d star rating of "%s"' % (
+        review.rating, review.book.title)
+    return status
+
 def get_review(review):
     ''' fedireads json for book reviews '''
     status = get_status(review)
@@ -22,27 +32,31 @@ def get_comment(comment):
     return status
 
 
+def get_rating_note(review):
+    ''' simple rating, send it as a note not an artciel '''
+    status = get_status(review)
+    status['content'] = 'Rated "%s": %d stars' % (
+        review.book.title,
+        review.rating,
+    )
+    status['type'] = 'Note'
+    return status
+
 def get_review_article(review):
     ''' a book review formatted for a non-fedireads isntance (mastodon) '''
     status = get_status(review)
-    if review.rating and review.name:
-        name = 'Review of "%s" (%d stars): %s' % (
+    if review.rating:
+        status['name'] = 'Review of "%s" (%d stars): %s' % (
             review.book.title,
             review.rating,
             review.name
         )
-    elif review.rating:
-        name = 'Rated "%s" (%d stars)' % (
-            review.book.title,
-            review.rating,
-        )
     else:
-        name = 'Review of "%s": %s' % (
+        status['name'] = 'Review of "%s": %s' % (
             review.book.title,
             review.name
         )
 
-    status['name'] = name
     return status
 
 
diff --git a/fedireads/outgoing.py b/fedireads/outgoing.py
index 641512d29..43d3d43c4 100644
--- a/fedireads/outgoing.py
+++ b/fedireads/outgoing.py
@@ -190,8 +190,18 @@ def handle_import_books(user, items):
 
 def handle_rate(user, book, rating):
     ''' a review that's just a rating '''
-    review = create_rating(user, book, rating)
-    # TODO: serialize and broadcast
+    rating = create_rating(user, book, rating)
+    rating_activity = activitypub.get_rating(rating)
+    rating_create_activity = activitypub.get_create(user, rating_activity)
+    fr_recipients = get_recipients(user, 'public', limit='fedireads')
+    broadcast(user, rating_create_activity, fr_recipients)
+
+    # re-format the activity for non-fedireads servers
+    note_activity = activitypub.get_rating_note(rating)
+    note_create_activity = activitypub.get_create(user, note_activity)
+
+    other_recipients = get_recipients(user, 'public', limit='other')
+    broadcast(user, note_create_activity, other_recipients)
 
 
 def handle_review(user, book, name, content, rating):