diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/user.py b/bookwyrm/models/user.py
index 3efbd6ac8..257264681 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/user.py
@@ -150,6 +150,19 @@ class User(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, AbstractUser):
         """for consistent naming"""
         return not self.is_active
 
+    @property
+    def unread_notification_count(self):
+        """ count of notifications, for the templates """
+        return self.notification_set.filter(read=False).count()
+
+    @property
+    def has_unread_mentions(self):
+        """ whether any of the unread notifications are conversations """
+        return self.notification_set.filter(
+            read=False,
+            notification_type__in=["REPLY", "MENTION", "TAG"],
+        ).exists()
+
     activity_serializer = activitypub.Person
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/bookwyrm/static/js/bookwyrm.js b/bookwyrm/static/js/bookwyrm.js
index 485daf15b..3659a20e4 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/static/js/bookwyrm.js
+++ b/bookwyrm/static/js/bookwyrm.js
@@ -97,10 +97,12 @@ let BookWyrm = new class {
     updateCountElement(counter, data) {
         const currentCount = counter.innerText;
         const count = data.count;
+        const hasMentions = data.has_mentions;
 
         if (count != currentCount) {
             this.addRemoveClass(counter.closest('[data-poll-wrapper]'), 'is-hidden', count < 1);
             counter.innerText = count;
+            this.addRemoveClass(counter.closest('[data-poll-wrapper]'), 'is-danger', hasMentions);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html b/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html
index 84482cdfc..770666e80 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html
@@ -135,8 +135,11 @@
                                 <span class="is-sr-only">{% trans "Notifications" %}</span>
                             </span>
                         </span>
-                        <span class="{% if not request.user|notification_count %}is-hidden {% endif %}tag is-danger is-medium transition-x" data-poll-wrapper>
-                            <span data-poll="notifications">{{ request.user | notification_count }}</span>
+                        <span
+                            class="{% if not request.user.unread_notification_count %}is-hidden {% elif request.user.has_unread_mentions %}is-danger {% endif %}tag is-medium transition-x"
+                            data-poll-wrapper
+                        >
+                            <span data-poll="notifications">{{ request.user.unread_notification_count }}</span>
                         </span>
                     </a>
                 </div>
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/updates.py b/bookwyrm/views/updates.py
index 349022724..726145626 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/updates.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/updates.py
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ def get_notification_count(request):
     """any notifications waiting?"""
     return JsonResponse(
         {
-            "count": request.user.notification_set.filter(read=False).count(),
+            "count": request.user.unread_notification_count,
+            "has_mentions": request.user.has_unread_mentions,
         }
     )