diff --git a/scripts/patch-microsub-reader-ap-dispatch.mjs b/scripts/patch-microsub-reader-ap-dispatch.mjs
index f9e88588..d9a40856 100644
--- a/scripts/patch-microsub-reader-ap-dispatch.mjs
+++ b/scripts/patch-microsub-reader-ap-dispatch.mjs
@@ -51,7 +51,11 @@ const patchSpecs = [
           "  }",
         ].join("\n"),
         newSnippet: [
-          "  if (interactionUrl && syndicationTargets.length > 0) {",
+          "  // Auto-select syndication target based on interaction URL protocol.",
+          "  // Likes and reposts are handled natively by the AP endpoint (@svemagie@blog.giersig.eu)",
+          "  // — never auto-check Mastodon for those action types.",
+          "  const isLikeOrRepost = !!(likeOf || like || repostOf || repost);",
+          "  if (interactionUrl && syndicationTargets.length > 0 && !isLikeOrRepost) {",
           "    const protocol = detectProtocol(interactionUrl);",
           "",
           "    // Build set of Mastodon instance hostnames from configured targets so we can",
@@ -76,9 +80,7 @@ const patchSpecs = [
           "      if (protocol === \"atmosphere\" && (targetId.includes(\"bluesky\") || targetId.includes(\"bsky\"))) {",
           "        target.checked = true;",
           "      } else if (isMastodonTarget && (protocol === \"fediverse\" || mastodonHostnames.has(interactionHostname))) {",
-          "        // Auto-check Mastodon when:",
-          "        // - the URL is from a known fediverse instance (mastodon.social, fosstodon.org, …)",
-          "        // - OR the URL is from the same instance as our Mastodon syndicator (e.g. troet.cafe)",
+          "        // Auto-check Mastodon for fediverse replies only (not likes/reposts — those use AP)",
           "        target.checked = true;",
           "      }",
           "    }",