diff --git a/assets/css/common/_base.scss b/assets/css/common/_base.scss
index f0b3a085..b5375e07 100644
--- a/assets/css/common/_base.scss
+++ b/assets/css/common/_base.scss
@@ -470,6 +470,7 @@ span.stat {
 @import "text";
 
 @import "~views/adverts";
+@import "~views/approval";
 @import "~views/badges";
 @import "~views/channels";
 @import "~views/comments";
diff --git a/assets/css/views/_approval.scss b/assets/css/views/_approval.scss
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..97348d38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/css/views/_approval.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+.approval-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 1fr auto;
+  grid-template-rows: 1fr;
+  gap: var(--padding-small);
+  text-align: center;
+}
+
+.approval-items--main {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: auto 1fr 1fr 1fr;
+  gap: var(--padding-small);
+  justify-content: center;
+}
+
+.approval-items--main span {
+  margin: auto;
+}
+
+.approval-items--footer {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
+  grid-template-rows: 1fr;
+  gap: var(--padding-normal);
+}
+
+.approval-items--footer * {
+  height: 2rem;
+  margin-top: auto;
+  margin-bottom: auto;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: $min_px_width_for_desktop_layout) {
+  .approval-grid {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+    grid-template-rows: auto;
+    grid-template-areas: 
+      "main"
+      "footer";
+  }
+
+  .approval-items--main {
+    grid-area: main;
+  }
+
+  .approval-items--footer {
+    grid-area: footer;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/assets/js/pmwarning.js b/assets/js/pmwarning.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0808b089
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/js/pmwarning.js
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/**
+ * PmWarning
+ *
+ * Warn users that their PM will be reviewed.
+ */
+
+import { $ } from './utils/dom';
+
+function warnAboutPMs() {
+  const textarea = $('.js-toolbar-input');
+  const warning = $('.js-hidden-warning');
+  const imageEmbedRegex = /!+\[/g;
+
+  if (!warning || !textarea) return;
+
+  textarea.addEventListener('input', () => {
+    const value = textarea.value;
+
+    if (value.match(imageEmbedRegex))
+      warning.classList.remove('hidden');
+    else if (!warning.classList.contains('hidden'))
+      warning.classList.add('hidden');
+  });
+}
+
+export { warnAboutPMs };
diff --git a/assets/js/when-ready.js b/assets/js/when-ready.js
index 87e99737..eed3082a 100644
--- a/assets/js/when-ready.js
+++ b/assets/js/when-ready.js
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import { setupSearch }          from './search';
 import { setupToolbar }         from './markdowntoolbar';
 import { hideStaffTools }       from './staffhider';
 import { pollOptionCreator }    from './poll';
+import { warnAboutPMs }         from './pmwarning';
 
 whenReady(() => {
 
@@ -66,5 +67,6 @@ whenReady(() => {
   setupToolbar();
   hideStaffTools();
   pollOptionCreator();
+  warnAboutPMs();
 
 });
diff --git a/lib/philomena/comments.ex b/lib/philomena/comments.ex
index 62e7c260..b353a181 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/comments.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/comments.ex
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ defmodule Philomena.Comments do
 
   alias Philomena.Elasticsearch
   alias Philomena.Reports.Report
+  alias Philomena.UserStatistics
   alias Philomena.Comments.Comment
   alias Philomena.Comments.ElasticsearchIndex, as: CommentIndex
   alias Philomena.IndexWorker
@@ -212,6 +213,8 @@ defmodule Philomena.Comments do
     |> Repo.transaction()
     |> case do
       {:ok, %{comment: comment, reports: {_count, reports}}} ->
+        notify_comment(comment)
+        UserStatistics.inc_stat(comment.user, :comments_posted)
         Reports.reindex_reports(reports)
         reindex_comment(comment)
 
@@ -222,6 +225,8 @@ defmodule Philomena.Comments do
     end
   end
 
+  def report_non_approved(%Comment{approved: true}), do: false
+
   def report_non_approved(comment) do
     Reports.create_system_report(
       comment.id,
diff --git a/lib/philomena/conversations.ex b/lib/philomena/conversations.ex
index 5542c021..757c295b 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/conversations.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/conversations.ex
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ defmodule Philomena.Conversations do
   import Ecto.Query, warn: false
   alias Ecto.Multi
   alias Philomena.Repo
-
+  alias Philomena.Reports
   alias Philomena.Conversations.Conversation
 
   @doc """
@@ -187,6 +187,12 @@ defmodule Philomena.Conversations do
       Ecto.build_assoc(conversation, :messages)
       |> Message.creation_changeset(attrs, user)
 
+    show_as_read =
+      case message do
+        %{changes: %{approved: true}} -> false
+        _ -> true
+      end
+
     conversation_query =
       Conversation
       |> where(id: ^conversation.id)
@@ -196,11 +202,43 @@ defmodule Philomena.Conversations do
     Multi.new()
     |> Multi.insert(:message, message)
     |> Multi.update_all(:conversation, conversation_query,
-      set: [from_read: false, to_read: false, last_message_at: now]
+      set: [from_read: show_as_read, to_read: show_as_read, last_message_at: now]
     )
     |> Repo.transaction()
   end
 
+  def approve_conversation_message(message) do
+    message_query =
+      message
+      |> Message.approve_changeset()
+
+    conversation_query =
+      Conversation
+      |> where(id: ^message.conversation_id)
+
+    now = DateTime.utc_now()
+
+    Multi.new()
+    |> Multi.update(:message, message_query)
+    |> Multi.update_all(:conversation, conversation_query, set: [to_read: false])
+    |> Repo.transaction()
+  end
+
+  def report_non_approved(id) do
+    Reports.create_system_report(
+      id,
+      "Conversation",
+      "Approval",
+      "PM contains externally-embedded images and has been flagged for review."
+    )
+  end
+
+  def set_as_read(conversation) do
+    conversation
+    |> Conversation.to_read_changeset()
+    |> Repo.update()
+  end
+
   @doc """
   Updates a message.
 
diff --git a/lib/philomena/conversations/conversation.ex b/lib/philomena/conversations/conversation.ex
index 10b2540b..07e3f4ab 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/conversations/conversation.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/conversations/conversation.ex
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ defmodule Philomena.Conversations.Conversation do
     |> cast(attrs, [:from_read, :to_read])
   end
 
+  def to_read_changeset(conversation) do
+    change(conversation)
+    |> put_change(:to_read, true)
+  end
+
   def hidden_changeset(conversation, attrs) do
     conversation
     |> cast(attrs, [:from_hidden, :to_hidden])
diff --git a/lib/philomena/conversations/message.ex b/lib/philomena/conversations/message.ex
index 56188f0f..a9e6fefd 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/conversations/message.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/conversations/message.ex
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ defmodule Philomena.Conversations.Message do
     belongs_to :from, User
 
     field :body, :string
+    field :approved, :boolean, default: false
 
     timestamps(inserted_at: :created_at, type: :utc_datetime)
   end
@@ -31,4 +32,8 @@ defmodule Philomena.Conversations.Message do
     |> validate_length(:body, max: 300_000, count: :bytes)
     |> Approval.maybe_put_approval(user)
   end
+
+  def approve_changeset(message) do
+    change(message, approved: true)
+  end
 end
diff --git a/lib/philomena/images.ex b/lib/philomena/images.ex
index c5fd4d79..a0e90b6c 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/images.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/images.ex
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ defmodule Philomena.Images do
         repair_image(image)
         reindex_image(image)
         Tags.reindex_tags(image.added_tags)
-        UserStatistics.inc_stat(attribution[:user], :uploads)
+        maybe_approve_image(image, attribution[:user])
 
         result
 
@@ -135,6 +135,55 @@ defmodule Philomena.Images do
     multi
   end
 
+  def approve_image(image) do
+    image
+    |> Repo.preload(:user)
+    |> Image.approve_changeset()
+    |> Repo.update()
+    |> case do
+      {:ok, image} ->
+        reindex_image(image)
+        increment_user_stats(image.user)
+        maybe_suggest_user_verification(image.user)
+
+        {:ok, image}
+
+      error ->
+        error
+    end
+  end
+
+  defp maybe_approve_image(image, nil), do: false
+
+  defp maybe_approve_image(image, %User{verified: false, role: role}) when role == "user",
+    do: false
+
+  defp maybe_approve_image(image, _user), do: approve_image(image)
+
+  defp increment_user_stats(nil), do: false
+
+  defp increment_user_stats(%User{} = user) do
+    UserStatistics.inc_stat(user, :uploads)
+  end
+
+  defp maybe_suggest_user_verification(%User{id: id, uploads_count: 5, verified: false}) do
+    Reports.create_system_report(
+      id,
+      "User",
+      "Verification",
+      "User has uploaded enough approved images to be considered for verification."
+    )
+  end
+
+  defp maybe_suggest_user_verification(_user), do: false
+
+  def count_pending_approvals() do
+    Image
+    |> where(hidden_from_users: false)
+    |> where(approved: false)
+    |> Repo.aggregate(:count)
+  end
+
   def feature_image(featurer, %Image{} = image) do
     %ImageFeature{user_id: featurer.id, image_id: image.id}
     |> ImageFeature.changeset(%{})
diff --git a/lib/philomena/images/image.ex b/lib/philomena/images/image.ex
index 8e27d4f5..34eeb64b 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/images/image.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/images/image.ex
@@ -326,6 +326,12 @@ defmodule Philomena.Images.Image do
     cast(image, attrs, [:anonymous])
   end
 
+  def approve_changeset(image) do
+    change(image)
+    |> put_change(:approved, true)
+    |> put_change(:first_seen_at, DateTime.truncate(DateTime.utc_now(), :second))
+  end
+
   def cache_changeset(image) do
     changeset = change(image)
     image = apply_changes(changeset)
diff --git a/lib/philomena/posts.ex b/lib/philomena/posts.ex
index 7e41b473..6bef4d1b 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/posts.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/posts.ex
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ defmodule Philomena.Posts do
   alias Philomena.Elasticsearch
   alias Philomena.Topics.Topic
   alias Philomena.Topics
+  alias Philomena.UserStatistics
   alias Philomena.Posts.Post
   alias Philomena.Posts.ElasticsearchIndex, as: PostIndex
   alias Philomena.IndexWorker
@@ -117,6 +118,8 @@ defmodule Philomena.Posts do
     Exq.enqueue(Exq, "notifications", NotificationWorker, ["Posts", post.id])
   end
 
+  def report_non_approved(%Post{approved: true}), do: false
+
   def report_non_approved(post) do
     Reports.create_system_report(
       post.id,
@@ -261,6 +264,8 @@ defmodule Philomena.Posts do
     |> Repo.transaction()
     |> case do
       {:ok, %{post: post, reports: {_count, reports}}} ->
+        notify_post(post)
+        UserStatistics.inc_stat(post.user, :forum_posts)
         Reports.reindex_reports(reports)
         reindex_post(post)
 
diff --git a/lib/philomena/reports/elasticsearch_index.ex b/lib/philomena/reports/elasticsearch_index.ex
index 31f252e6..bafcf673 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/reports/elasticsearch_index.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/reports/elasticsearch_index.ex
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ defmodule Philomena.Reports.ElasticsearchIndex do
           reportable_type: %{type: "keyword"},
           reportable_id: %{type: "keyword"},
           open: %{type: "boolean"},
-          reason: %{type: "text", analyzer: "snowball"}
+          reason: %{type: "text", analyzer: "snowball"},
+          system: %{type: "boolean"}
         }
       }
     }
@@ -53,7 +54,8 @@ defmodule Philomena.Reports.ElasticsearchIndex do
       reportable_id: report.reportable_id,
       fingerprint: report.fingerprint,
       open: report.open,
-      reason: report.reason
+      reason: report.reason,
+      system: report.system
     }
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/philomena/topics.ex b/lib/philomena/topics.ex
index c4a02bdc..8adeb927 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/topics.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/topics.ex
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ defmodule Philomena.Topics do
     |> case do
       {:ok, %{topic: topic}} = result ->
         Posts.reindex_post(hd(topic.posts))
+        Posts.report_non_approved(hd(topic.posts))
 
         result
 
diff --git a/lib/philomena/topics/topic.ex b/lib/philomena/topics/topic.ex
index 43b54002..efc49ce4 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/topics/topic.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/topics/topic.ex
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ defmodule Philomena.Topics.Topic do
     field :slug, :string
     field :anonymous, :boolean, default: false
     field :hidden_from_users, :boolean, default: false
-    field :approved, :boolean
 
     timestamps(inserted_at: :created_at, type: :utc_datetime)
   end
diff --git a/lib/philomena/users/ability.ex b/lib/philomena/users/ability.ex
index cca29a3e..21b8ba1a 100644
--- a/lib/philomena/users/ability.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena/users/ability.ex
@@ -273,9 +273,6 @@ defimpl Canada.Can, for: [Atom, Philomena.Users.User] do
   def can?(%User{role: "assistant", role_map: %{"Topic" => "moderator"}}, :hide, %Topic{}),
     do: true
 
-  def can?(%User{role: "assistant", role_map: %{"Topic" => "moderator"}}, :approve, %Topic{}),
-    do: true
-
   def can?(%User{role: "assistant", role_map: %{"Topic" => "moderator"}}, :show, %Post{}),
     do: true
 
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/admin/approval_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/admin/approval_controller.ex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f5f8f2e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/admin/approval_controller.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ApprovalController do
+  use PhilomenaWeb, :controller
+
+  alias Philomena.Images.Image
+  alias Philomena.Repo
+  import Ecto.Query
+
+  plug :verify_authorized
+
+  def index(conn, _params) do
+    images =
+      Image
+      |> where(hidden_from_users: false)
+      |> where(approved: false)
+      |> order_by(desc: :id)
+      |> preload([:user, tags: [:aliases, :aliased_tag]])
+      |> Repo.paginate(conn.assigns.scrivener)
+
+    render(conn, "index.html", title: "Admin - Approval Queue", images: images)
+  end
+
+  defp verify_authorized(conn, _opts) do
+    case Canada.Can.can?(conn.assigns.current_user, :approve, %Image{}) do
+      true -> conn
+      false -> PhilomenaWeb.NotAuthorizedPlug.call(conn)
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/admin/report_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/admin/report_controller.ex
index 04e7735c..78a8bcc0 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/admin/report_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/admin/report_controller.ex
@@ -42,7 +42,10 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ReportController do
           %{
             bool: %{
               must: %{term: %{open: true}},
-              must_not: %{term: %{admin_id: user.id}}
+              must_not: [
+                %{term: %{admin_id: user.id}},
+                %{term: %{system: true}}
+              ]
             }
           }
         ]
@@ -59,11 +62,20 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ReportController do
       |> Repo.all()
       |> Polymorphic.load_polymorphic(reportable: [reportable_id: :reportable_type])
 
+    system_reports =
+      Report
+      |> where(open: true, system: true)
+      |> preload([:admin, user: :linked_tags])
+      |> order_by(desc: :created_at)
+      |> Repo.all()
+      |> Polymorphic.load_polymorphic(reportable: [reportable_id: :reportable_type])
+
     render(conn, "index.html",
       title: "Admin - Reports",
       layout_class: "layout--wide",
       reports: reports,
-      my_reports: my_reports
+      my_reports: my_reports,
+      system_reports: system_reports
     )
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/approve_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/message/approve_controller.ex
similarity index 76%
rename from lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/approve_controller.ex
rename to lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/message/approve_controller.ex
index 20529e14..c45dc9ec 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/approve_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/message/approve_controller.ex
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
-defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Conversation.ApproveController do
+defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Conversation.Message.ApproveController do
   use PhilomenaWeb, :controller
 
-  alias Philomena.Conversations.Conversation
+  alias Philomena.Conversations.Message
   alias Philomena.Conversations
 
   plug PhilomenaWeb.CanaryMapPlug, create: :approve
 
   plug :load_and_authorize_resource,
-    model: Conversation,
-    id_field: "slug",
-    id_name: "conversation_id",
-    persisted: true
+    model: Message,
+    id_name: "message_id",
+    persisted: true,
+    preload: [:conversation]
 
   def create(conn, _params) do
     message = conn.assigns.message
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/message_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/message_controller.ex
index 892091e6..7e238902 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/message_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation/message_controller.ex
@@ -20,7 +20,11 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Conversation.MessageController do
     user = conn.assigns.current_user
 
     case Conversations.create_message(conversation, user, message_params) do
-      {:ok, _result} ->
+      {:ok, %{message: message}} ->
+        if not message.approved do
+          Conversations.report_non_approved(message.conversation_id)
+        end
+
         count =
           Message
           |> where(conversation_id: ^conversation.id)
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation_controller.ex
index 6fe1a74d..5380b5f6 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/conversation_controller.ex
@@ -107,6 +107,11 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.ConversationController do
 
     case Conversations.create_conversation(user, conversation_params) do
       {:ok, conversation} ->
+        if not hd(conversation.messages).approved do
+          Conversations.report_non_approved(conversation.id)
+          Conversations.set_as_read(conversation)
+        end
+
         conn
         |> put_flash(:info, "Conversation successfully created.")
         |> redirect(to: Routes.conversation_path(conn, :show, conversation))
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/approve_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/approve_controller.ex
index 66e5551f..689339f8 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/approve_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/approve_controller.ex
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Image.ApproveController do
     conn
     |> put_flash(:info, "Image has been approved.")
     |> moderation_log(details: &log_details/3, data: image)
-    |> redirect(to: Routes.image_path(conn, :show, image))
+    |> redirect(to: Routes.admin_approval_path(conn, :index))
   end
 
   defp log_details(conn, _action, image) do
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/comment_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/comment_controller.ex
index 21002e4a..485a94fa 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/comment_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/image/comment_controller.ex
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Image.CommentController do
           PhilomenaWeb.Api.Json.CommentView.render("show.json", %{comment: comment})
         )
 
-        Comments.notify_comment(comment)
         Comments.reindex_comment(comment)
         Images.reindex_image(conn.assigns.image)
 
         if comment.approved do
+          Comments.notify_comment(comment)
           UserStatistics.inc_stat(conn.assigns.current_user, :comments_posted)
         else
           Comments.report_non_approved(comment)
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/approve_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/approve_controller.ex
deleted file mode 100644
index 5d98d540..00000000
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/approve_controller.ex
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Topic.ApproveController do
-  import Plug.Conn
-  use PhilomenaWeb, :controller
-
-  alias Philomena.Forums.Forum
-  alias Philomena.Topics.Topic
-  alias Philomena.Topics
-
-  plug PhilomenaWeb.CanaryMapPlug, create: :show
-
-  plug :load_and_authorize_resource,
-    model: Forum,
-    id_name: "forum_id",
-    id_field: "short_name",
-    persisted: true
-
-  plug PhilomenaWeb.LoadTopicPlug
-  plug PhilomenaWeb.CanaryMapPlug, create: :approve
-  plug :authorize_resource, model: Topic, persisted: true
-
-  def create(conn, _params) do
-    topic = conn.assigns.topic
-    user = conn.assigns.current_user
-
-    case Topics.approve_topic(topic) do
-      {:ok, topic} ->
-        conn
-        |> put_flash(:info, "Topic successfully approved!")
-        |> moderation_log(details: &log_details/3, data: topic)
-        |> redirect(to: Routes.forum_topic_path(conn, :show, topic.forum, topic))
-
-      {:error, _changeset} ->
-        conn
-        |> put_flash(:error, "Unable to approve the topic!")
-        |> redirect(to: Routes.forum_topic_path(conn, :show, topic.forum, topic))
-    end
-  end
-
-  defp log_details(conn, action, topic) do
-    %{
-      body: "Approved topic '#{topic.title}' in #{topic.forum.name}",
-      subject_path: Routes.forum_topic_path(conn, :show, topic.forum, topic)
-    }
-  end
-end
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post/approve_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post/approve_controller.ex
index 094edad0..17a1a4b9 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post/approve_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post/approve_controller.ex
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Topic.Post.ApproveController do
 
     case Posts.approve_post(post, user) do
       {:ok, post} ->
-        UserStatistics.inc_stat(post.user(:forum_posts))
-
         conn
         |> put_flash(:info, "Post successfully approved.")
         |> moderation_log(details: &log_details/3, data: post)
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post_controller.ex b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post_controller.ex
index 0fc29600..98d62698 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/controllers/topic/post_controller.ex
@@ -35,9 +35,8 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Topic.PostController do
 
     case Posts.create_post(topic, attributes, post_params) do
       {:ok, %{post: post}} ->
-        Posts.notify_post(post)
-
         if post.approved do
+          Posts.notify_post(post)
           UserStatistics.inc_stat(conn.assigns.current_user, :forum_posts)
         else
           Posts.report_non_approved(post)
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/image_loader.ex b/lib/philomena_web/image_loader.ex
index bfd7b6fd..c6a33c2a 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/image_loader.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/image_loader.ex
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.ImageLoader do
     ]
     |> maybe_show_deleted(show_hidden?, del)
     |> maybe_custom_hide(user, hidden)
+    |> hide_non_approved()
   end
 
   # Allow moderators to index hidden images
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.ImageLoader do
   defp maybe_custom_hide(filters, _user, _param),
     do: filters
 
+  # Hide all images that aren't approved from all search queries.
+  defp hide_non_approved(filters),
+    do: [%{term: %{approved: false}} | filters]
+
   # TODO: the search parser should try to optimize queries
   defp search_tag_name(%{term: %{"namespaced_tags.name" => tag_name}}), do: [tag_name]
   defp search_tag_name(_other_query), do: []
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/image_sorter.ex b/lib/philomena_web/image_sorter.ex
index d2124c77..83c78b80 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/image_sorter.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/image_sorter.ex
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.ImageSorter do
   end
 
   defp parse_sf(_params, sd, query) do
-    %{query: query, sorts: [%{"id" => sd}]}
+    %{query: query, sorts: [%{"first_seen_at" => sd}]}
   end
 
   defp random_query(seed, sd, query) do
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/markdown_renderer.ex b/lib/philomena_web/markdown_renderer.ex
index bf6e355c..d8893467 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/markdown_renderer.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/markdown_renderer.ex
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.MarkdownRenderer do
       image.hidden_from_users ->
         " (deleted)"
 
+      not image.approved ->
+        " (pending approval)"
+
       true ->
         ""
     end
@@ -75,7 +78,7 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.MarkdownRenderer do
         cond do
           img != nil ->
             case group do
-              [_id, "p"] when not img.hidden_from_users ->
+              [_id, "p"] when not img.hidden_from_users and img.approved ->
                 Phoenix.View.render(@image_view, "_image_target.html",
                   image: img,
                   size: :medium,
@@ -83,7 +86,7 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.MarkdownRenderer do
                 )
                 |> safe_to_string()
 
-              [_id, "t"] when not img.hidden_from_users ->
+              [_id, "t"] when not img.hidden_from_users and img.approved ->
                 Phoenix.View.render(@image_view, "_image_target.html",
                   image: img,
                   size: :small,
@@ -91,7 +94,7 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.MarkdownRenderer do
                 )
                 |> safe_to_string()
 
-              [_id, "s"] when not img.hidden_from_users ->
+              [_id, "s"] when not img.hidden_from_users and img.approved ->
                 Phoenix.View.render(@image_view, "_image_target.html",
                   image: img,
                   size: :thumb_small,
@@ -99,6 +102,9 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.MarkdownRenderer do
                 )
                 |> safe_to_string()
 
+              [id, suffix] when not img.approved ->
+                ">>#{img.id}#{suffix}#{link_suffix(img)}"
+
               [_id, ""] ->
                 link(">>#{img.id}#{link_suffix(img)}", to: "/images/#{img.id}")
                 |> safe_to_string()
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/plugs/admin_counters_plug.ex b/lib/philomena_web/plugs/admin_counters_plug.ex
index ac9cb938..e2da61a9 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/plugs/admin_counters_plug.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/plugs/admin_counters_plug.ex
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.AdminCountersPlug do
   alias Philomena.Reports
   alias Philomena.ArtistLinks
   alias Philomena.DnpEntries
+  alias Philomena.Images
 
   import Plug.Conn, only: [assign: 3]
 
@@ -31,12 +32,14 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.AdminCountersPlug do
   defp maybe_assign_admin_metrics(conn, _user, false), do: conn
 
   defp maybe_assign_admin_metrics(conn, user, true) do
+    pending_approvals = Images.count_pending_approvals()
     duplicate_reports = DuplicateReports.count_duplicate_reports(user)
     reports = Reports.count_reports(user)
     artist_links = ArtistLinks.count_artist_links(user)
     dnps = DnpEntries.count_dnp_entries(user)
 
     conn
+    |> assign(:pending_approval_count, pending_approvals)
     |> assign(:duplicate_report_count, duplicate_reports)
     |> assign(:report_count, reports)
     |> assign(:artist_link_count, artist_links)
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/router.ex b/lib/philomena_web/router.ex
index 3cec4363..c5d48d9d 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/router.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/router.ex
@@ -177,10 +177,15 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Router do
 
     resources "/conversations", ConversationController, only: [:index, :show, :new, :create] do
       resources "/reports", Conversation.ReportController, only: [:new, :create]
-      resources "/messages", Conversation.MessageController, only: [:create]
+
+      resources "/messages", Conversation.MessageController, only: [:create] do
+        resources "/approve", Conversation.Message.ApproveController,
+          only: [:create],
+          singleton: true
+      end
+
       resources "/read", Conversation.ReadController, only: [:create, :delete], singleton: true
       resources "/hide", Conversation.HideController, only: [:create, :delete], singleton: true
-      resources "/approve", Conversation.ApproveController, only: [:create], singleton: true
     end
 
     resources "/images", ImageController, only: [] do
@@ -240,7 +245,6 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Router do
         resources "/stick", Topic.StickController, only: [:create, :delete], singleton: true
         resources "/lock", Topic.LockController, only: [:create, :delete], singleton: true
         resources "/hide", Topic.HideController, only: [:create, :delete], singleton: true
-        resources "/approve", Topic.ApproveController, only: [:create], singleton: true
 
         resources "/posts", Topic.PostController, only: [:edit, :update] do
           resources "/hide", Topic.Post.HideController, only: [:create, :delete], singleton: true
@@ -340,6 +344,8 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Router do
         resources "/close", Report.CloseController, only: [:create], singleton: true
       end
 
+      resources "/approvals", ApprovalController, only: [:index]
+
       resources "/artist_links", ArtistLinkController, only: [:index] do
         resources "/verification", ArtistLink.VerificationController,
           only: [:create],
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/approval/_approvals.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/approval/_approvals.html.slime
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..44ef14cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/approval/_approvals.html.slime
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+.block
+  .block__header
+    .block__header__title.approval-grid
+      .approval-items--main
+        span ID
+        span Image
+        span Uploader
+        span Time
+      .approval-items--footer.hide-mobile
+        span.hide-mobile Actions
+  = for image <- @images do
+    .block__content.alternating-color
+      .approval-grid
+        .approval-items--main
+          span = link ">>#{image.id}", to: Routes.image_path(@conn, :show, image)
+          span = image_thumb(@conn, image)
+          span
+            = if image.user do
+              = link image.user.name, to: Routes.profile_path(@conn, :show, image.user)
+            - else
+              em>
+                = truncated_ip_link(@conn, image.ip)
+              = link_to_fingerprint(@conn, image.fingerprint)
+          span = pretty_time(image.created_at)
+        .approval-items--footer
+          = if can?(@conn, :approve, image) do
+            = button_to "Approve", Routes.image_approve_path(@conn, :create, image), method: "post", class: "button button--state-success"
+          = if can?(@conn, :hide, image) do
+            = form_for :image, Routes.image_delete_path(@conn, :create, image), [method: "post"], fn f ->
+              .field.field--inline
+                = text_input f, :deletion_reason, class: "input input--wide", placeholder: "Rule violation", required: true
+                = submit "Delete", class: "button button--state-danger button--separate-left"
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/approval/index.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/approval/index.html.slime
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..818f7ae1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/approval/index.html.slime
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+- route = fn p -> Routes.admin_approval_path(@conn, :index, p) end
+- pagination = render PhilomenaWeb.PaginationView, "_pagination.html", page: @images, route: route
+
+h1 Approval Queue
+
+.block
+  .block__header
+    = pagination
+
+  = if Enum.any?(@images) do
+    = render PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ApprovalView, "_approvals.html", images: @images, conn: @conn
+  - else
+    ' No images are pending approval. Good job!
+
+  .block__header.block__header--light
+    = pagination
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/report/index.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/report/index.html.slime
index 96fb053b..23f626f1 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/report/index.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/admin/report/index.html.slime
@@ -10,6 +10,13 @@ h1 Reports
     .block__content
       = render PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ReportView, "_reports.html", reports: @my_reports, conn: @conn
 
+= if Enum.any?(@system_reports) do
+  .block
+    .block__header.block--danger
+      span.block__header__title System Reports
+    .block__content
+      = render PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ReportView, "_reports.html", reports: @system_reports, conn: @conn
+
 .block
   .block__header
     span.block__header__title All Reports
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/new.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/new.html.slime
index 040bb99b..a6800652 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/new.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/new.html.slime
@@ -5,6 +5,21 @@ h1 New Conversation
     ' &raquo;
     span.block__header__title New Conversation
 
+= case DateTime.compare(DateTime.utc_now(), DateTime.add(@conn.assigns.current_user.created_at, 1_209_600)) do
+  - :lt ->
+    .block.block--fixed.block--warning.hidden.js-hidden-warning
+      h2 Warning!
+      p
+        strong> Your account is too new, so your PM will need to be reviewed by staff members.
+        ' This is because it contains an external image. If you are not okay with a moderator viewing this PM conversation, please consider linking the image instead of embedding it (change
+        code<> ![
+        ' to
+        code<
+          | [
+        | ).
+  - _ ->
+    / Nothing
+
 = form_for @changeset, Routes.conversation_path(@conn, :create), fn f ->
   = if @changeset.action do
     .alert.alert-danger
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/show.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/show.html.slime
index c30f8c67..9c69b9bc 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/show.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/conversation/show.html.slime
@@ -31,6 +31,21 @@ h1 = @conversation.title
   .block__header.block__header--light.page__header
     .page__pagination = pagination
 
+= case DateTime.compare(DateTime.utc_now(), DateTime.add(@conn.assigns.current_user.created_at, 1_209_600)) do
+  - :lt ->
+    .block.block--fixed.block--warning.hidden.js-hidden-warning
+      h2 Warning!
+      p
+        strong> Your account is too new, so your PM will need to be reviewed by staff members.
+        ' This is because it contains an external image. If you are not okay with a moderator viewing this PM conversation, please consider linking the image instead of embedding it (change
+        code<> ![
+        ' to
+        code<
+          | [
+        | ).
+  - _ ->
+    / Nothing
+
 = cond do
   - @conn.assigns.current_ban ->
     = render PhilomenaWeb.BanView, "_ban_reason.html", conn: @conn
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/_image_approval_banner.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/_image_approval_banner.html.slime
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c4ec4f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/_image_approval_banner.html.slime
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+= if not @image.approved and not @image.hidden_from_users do
+  .block.block--fixed.block--warning
+    h2 Hold up!
+    p This image is pending approval from a staff member. It will appear on the site once it's reviewed and approved.
+    p 
+      ' Don't worry,
+      strong
+        ' the image will not lose any viewership,
+      ' it will appear on the homepage and in search results as normal (as if it was uploaded at the time of approval).
+    p
+      a href="/pages/approval"
+        strong Click here to learn more about image approval and verification.
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/_options.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/_options.html.slime
index 020a7bcb..be26ec4a 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/_options.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/_options.html.slime
@@ -145,5 +145,7 @@
       br
       .flex.flex--spaced-out
         = link "Lock specific tags", to: Routes.image_tag_lock_path(@conn, :show, @image), class: "button"
+        = if not @image.approved and can?(@conn, :approve, @image) do
+          = button_to "Approve image", Routes.image_approve_path(@conn, :create, @image), method: "post", class: "button button--state-success", data: [confirm: "Are you sure?"]
         = if @image.hidden_from_users and can?(@conn, :destroy, @image) do
-            = button_to "Destroy image", Routes.image_destroy_path(@conn, :create, @image), method: "post", class: "button button--state-danger", data: [confirm: "This action is IRREVERSIBLE. Are you sure?"]
+          = button_to "Destroy image", Routes.image_destroy_path(@conn, :create, @image), method: "post", class: "button button--state-danger", data: [confirm: "This action is IRREVERSIBLE. Are you sure?"]
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/show.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/show.html.slime
index 9a5fd499..0c566314 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/show.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/image/show.html.slime
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+= render PhilomenaWeb.ImageView, "_image_approval_banner.html", image: @image, conn: @conn
 = render PhilomenaWeb.ImageView, "_image_meta.html", image: @image, watching: @watching, user_galleries: @user_galleries, changeset: @image_changeset, conn: @conn
 = render PhilomenaWeb.ImageView, "_image_page.html", image: @image, conn: @conn
 
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/layout/_header_staff_links.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/layout/_header_staff_links.html.slime
index d59305b5..52d6aef6 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/layout/_header_staff_links.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/layout/_header_staff_links.html.slime
@@ -46,6 +46,12 @@
             i.fa.fa-fw.fa-list-alt>
             ' Mod Logs
 
+  = if @pending_approval_count do
+    = link to: Routes.admin_approval_path(@conn, :index), class: "header__link", title: "Approval Queue" do
+      ' Q
+      span.header__counter__admin
+        = @pending_approval_count
+
   = if @duplicate_report_count do
     = link to: Routes.duplicate_report_path(@conn, :index), class: "header__link", title: "Duplicates" do
       ' D
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/message/_message.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/message/_message.html.slime
index e22258d7..bf24ea6c 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/message/_message.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/message/_message.html.slime
@@ -1,4 +1,18 @@
 article.block.communication
+  = if not @message.approved and (can?(@conn, :approve, @message) or @message.from_id == @conn.assigns.current_user.id) do
+    .block__content
+      .block.block--fixed.block--danger
+        p
+          i.fas.fa-exclamation-triangle>
+          ' This private message is pending approval from a staff member.
+        = if can?(@conn, :approve, @message) do
+          p
+            ul.horizontal-list
+              li
+                = link(to: Routes.conversation_message_approve_path(@conn, :create, @message.conversation_id, @message), data: [confirm: "Are you sure?"], method: "post", class: "button") do
+                  i.fas.fa-check>
+                  ' Approve
+
   .block__content.flex.flex--no-wrap
     .flex__fixed.spacing-right
       = render PhilomenaWeb.UserAttributionView, "_user_avatar.html", object: %{user: @message.from}, conn: @conn, class: "avatar--100px"
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/templates/search/_form.html.slime b/lib/philomena_web/templates/search/_form.html.slime
index fa3dd74d..685528b9 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/templates/search/_form.html.slime
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/templates/search/_form.html.slime
@@ -133,9 +133,9 @@ h1 Search
         end
 
       sort_fields = [
+        "Sort by initial post date": :first_seen_at,
         "Sort by image ID": :id,
         "Sort by last modification date": :updated_at,
-        "Sort by initial post date": :first_seen_at,
         "Sort by aspect ratio": :aspect_ratio,
         "Sort by fave count": :faves,
         "Sort by upvotes": :upvotes,
diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/views/admin/approval_view.ex b/lib/philomena_web/views/admin/approval_view.ex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d8a78b11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/views/admin/approval_view.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+defmodule PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ApprovalView do
+  use PhilomenaWeb, :view
+
+  alias PhilomenaWeb.Admin.ReportView
+
+  # Shamelessly copied from ReportView
+  def truncated_ip_link(conn, ip), do: ReportView.truncated_ip_link(conn, ip)
+
+  def image_thumb(conn, image) do
+    render(PhilomenaWeb.ImageView, "_image_container.html",
+      image: image,
+      size: :thumb_tiny,
+      conn: conn
+    )
+  end
+end
diff --git a/priv/repo/migrations/20220321173359_add_approval_queue.exs b/priv/repo/migrations/20220321173359_add_approval_queue.exs
index 4d1421ea..066123cd 100644
--- a/priv/repo/migrations/20220321173359_add_approval_queue.exs
+++ b/priv/repo/migrations/20220321173359_add_approval_queue.exs
@@ -18,12 +18,18 @@ defmodule Philomena.Repo.Migrations.AddApprovalQueue do
       add :approved, :boolean, default: false
     end
 
-    alter table("topics") do
+    alter table("messages") do
       add :approved, :boolean, default: false
     end
 
     alter table("users") do
       add :verified, :boolean, default: false
     end
+
+    create index(:images, [:hidden_from_users, :approved],
+             where: "hidden_from_users = false and approved = false"
+           )
+
+    create index(:reports, [:system], where: "system = true")
   end
 end
diff --git a/priv/repo/structure.sql b/priv/repo/structure.sql
index a6e13a4f..1a412576 100644
--- a/priv/repo/structure.sql
+++ b/priv/repo/structure.sql
@@ -1007,7 +1007,8 @@ CREATE TABLE public.messages (
     updated_at timestamp without time zone NOT NULL,
     from_id integer NOT NULL,
     conversation_id integer NOT NULL,
-    body character varying NOT NULL
+    body character varying NOT NULL,
+    approved boolean DEFAULT false
 );
 
 
@@ -1680,8 +1681,7 @@ CREATE TABLE public.topics (
     deleted_by_id integer,
     locked_by_id integer,
     last_post_id integer,
-    hidden_from_users boolean DEFAULT false NOT NULL,
-    approved boolean DEFAULT false
+    hidden_from_users boolean DEFAULT false NOT NULL
 );
 
 
@@ -2903,6 +2903,13 @@ CREATE UNIQUE INDEX image_tag_locks_image_id_tag_id_index ON public.image_tag_lo
 CREATE INDEX image_tag_locks_tag_id_index ON public.image_tag_locks USING btree (tag_id);
 
 
+--
+-- Name: images_hidden_from_users_approved_index; Type: INDEX; Schema: public; Owner: -
+--
+
+CREATE INDEX images_hidden_from_users_approved_index ON public.images USING btree (hidden_from_users, approved) WHERE ((hidden_from_users = false) AND (approved = false));
+
+
 --
 -- Name: index_adverts_on_restrictions; Type: INDEX; Schema: public; Owner: -
 --
@@ -4100,6 +4107,13 @@ CREATE INDEX moderation_logs_user_id_created_at_index ON public.moderation_logs
 CREATE INDEX moderation_logs_user_id_index ON public.moderation_logs USING btree (user_id);
 
 
+--
+-- Name: reports_system_index; Type: INDEX; Schema: public; Owner: -
+--
+
+CREATE INDEX reports_system_index ON public.reports USING btree (system) WHERE (system = true);
+
+
 --
 -- Name: user_tokens_context_token_index; Type: INDEX; Schema: public; Owner: -
 --