diff --git a/socketserver/cmd/ffzsocketserver/console.go b/socketserver/cmd/ffzsocketserver/console.go
index 5d3063d9..2b437d14 100644
--- a/socketserver/cmd/ffzsocketserver/console.go
+++ b/socketserver/cmd/ffzsocketserver/console.go
@@ -116,9 +116,8 @@ func commandLineConsole() {
 			if i >= count {
 				break
 			}
-			select {
-			case cl.MessageChannel <- msg:
-			case <-cl.MsgChannelIsDone:
+			if cl.Send(msg) {
+				kickCount++
 			}
 			kickCount++
 		}
diff --git a/socketserver/server/commands.go b/socketserver/server/commands.go
index 3d0156a1..5278fb59 100644
--- a/socketserver/server/commands.go
+++ b/socketserver/server/commands.go
@@ -145,7 +145,6 @@ func C2SHello(conn *websocket.Conn, client *ClientInfo, msg ClientMessage) (rmsg
 	uniqueUserChannel <- client.ClientID
 
 	SubscribeGlobal(client)
-	SubscribeDefaults(client)
 
 	jsTime := float64(time.Now().UnixNano()/1000) / 1000
 	return ClientMessage{
@@ -197,7 +196,7 @@ func C2SReady(conn *websocket.Conn, client *ClientInfo, msg ClientMessage) (rmsg
 
 	client.MsgChannelKeepalive.Add(1)
 	go func() {
-		client.MessageChannel <- ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: SuccessCommand}
+		client.Send(ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: SuccessCommand})
 		SendBacklogForNewClient(client)
 		client.MsgChannelKeepalive.Done()
 	}()
@@ -553,10 +552,7 @@ func C2SHandleBunchedCommand(conn *websocket.Conn, client *ClientInfo, msg Clien
 		bsl.Lock()
 		for _, member := range bsl.Members {
 			msg.MessageID = member.MessageID
-			select {
-			case member.Client.MessageChannel <- msg:
-			case <-member.Client.MsgChannelIsDone:
-			}
+			member.Client.Send(msg)
 		}
 		bsl.Unlock()
 	}(br)
@@ -580,7 +576,7 @@ func doRemoteCommand(conn *websocket.Conn, msg ClientMessage, client *ClientInfo
 	if err == ErrAuthorizationNeeded {
 		if client.TwitchUsername == "" {
 			// Not logged in
-			client.MessageChannel <- ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: AuthorizationNeededError}
+			client.Send(ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: AuthorizationNeededError})
 			client.MsgChannelKeepalive.Done()
 			return
 		}
@@ -588,19 +584,19 @@ func doRemoteCommand(conn *websocket.Conn, msg ClientMessage, client *ClientInfo
 			if success {
 				doRemoteCommand(conn, msg, client)
 			} else {
-				client.MessageChannel <- ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: AuthorizationFailedErrorString}
+				client.Send(ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: AuthorizationFailedErrorString})
 				client.MsgChannelKeepalive.Done()
 			}
 		})
 		return // without keepalive.Done()
 	} else if bfe, ok := err.(ErrForwardedFromBackend); ok {
-		client.MessageChannel <- ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: bfe.JSONError}
+		client.Send(ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: bfe.JSONError})
 	} else if err != nil {
-		client.MessageChannel <- ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: err.Error()}
+		client.Send(ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: ErrorCommand, Arguments: err.Error()})
 	} else {
 		msg := ClientMessage{MessageID: msg.MessageID, Command: SuccessCommand, origArguments: resp}
 		msg.parseOrigArguments()
-		client.MessageChannel <- msg
+		client.Send(msg)
 	}
 	client.MsgChannelKeepalive.Done()
 }
diff --git a/socketserver/server/handlecore.go b/socketserver/server/handlecore.go
index 723f4fb2..0b24a0a6 100644
--- a/socketserver/server/handlecore.go
+++ b/socketserver/server/handlecore.go
@@ -300,8 +300,8 @@ var CloseNonUTF8Data = websocket.CloseError{
 	Text: "Non UTF8 data recieved. Network corruption likely.",
 }
 
-const sendMessageBufferLength = 30
-const sendMessageAbortLength = 20
+const sendMessageBufferLength = 5
+const sendMessageAbortLength = 5
 
 // RunSocketConnection contains the main run loop of a websocket connection.
 //
@@ -350,11 +350,8 @@ func RunSocketConnection(conn *websocket.Conn) {
 	closeConnection(conn, closeReason)
 	// closeConnection(conn, closeReason, &report)
 
-	// Launch message draining goroutine - we aren't out of the pub/sub records
-	go func() {
-		for _ = range _serverMessageChan {
-		}
-	}()
+	// We can just drop serverMessageChan and let it be picked up by GC, because all sends are nonblocking.
+	_serverMessageChan = nil
 
 	// Closes client.MsgChannelIsDone and also stops the reader thread
 	close(stoppedChan)
@@ -364,11 +361,8 @@ func RunSocketConnection(conn *websocket.Conn) {
 
 	// Wait for pending jobs to finish...
 	client.MsgChannelKeepalive.Wait()
-	client.MessageChannel = nil
 
 	// And done.
-	// Close the channel so the draining goroutine can finish, too.
-	close(_serverMessageChan)
 
 	if !StopAcceptingConnections {
 		// Don't perform high contention operations when server is closing
diff --git a/socketserver/server/irc.go b/socketserver/server/irc.go
index a5a837dc..0eb6eef2 100644
--- a/socketserver/server/irc.go
+++ b/socketserver/server/irc.go
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func (client *ClientInfo) StartAuthorization(callback AuthCallback) {
 
 	AddPendingAuthorization(client, challenge, callback)
 
-	client.MessageChannel <- ClientMessage{MessageID: -1, Command: AuthorizeCommand, Arguments: challenge}
+	client.Send(ClientMessage{MessageID: -1, Command: AuthorizeCommand, Arguments: challenge})
 }
 
 const AuthChannelName = "frankerfacezauthorizer"
diff --git a/socketserver/server/publisher.go b/socketserver/server/publisher.go
index 85912dd6..98ed2d19 100644
--- a/socketserver/server/publisher.go
+++ b/socketserver/server/publisher.go
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
 
+// LastSavedMessage contains a reply to a command along with an expiration time.
 type LastSavedMessage struct {
 	Expires time.Time
 	Data      string
@@ -72,7 +74,7 @@ func SendBacklogForNewClient(client *ClientInfo) {
 			if ok {
 				msg := ClientMessage{MessageID: -1, Command: cmd, origArguments: msg.Data}
 				msg.parseOrigArguments()
-				client.MessageChannel <- msg
+				client.Send(msg)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ func SendBacklogForChannel(client *ClientInfo, channel string) {
 		if msg, ok := chanMap[channel]; ok {
 			msg := ClientMessage{MessageID: -1, Command: cmd, origArguments: msg.Data}
 			msg.parseOrigArguments()
-			client.MessageChannel <- msg
+			client.Send(msg)
 		}
 	}
 	CachedLSMLock.RUnlock()
@@ -132,6 +134,21 @@ func HTTPBackendDropBacklog(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 }
 
+func rateLimitFromRequest(r *http.Request) (RateLimit, error) {
+	if r.FormValue("rateCount") != "" {
+		c, err := strconv.ParseInt(r.FormValue("rateCount"), 10, 32)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "rateCount")
+		}
+		d, err := time.ParseDuration(r.FormValue("rateTime"))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "rateTime")
+		}
+		return NewRateLimit(int(c), d), nil
+	}
+	return Unlimited(), nil
+}
+
 // HTTPBackendCachedPublish handles the /cached_pub route.
 // It publishes a message to clients, and then updates the in-server cache for the message.
 //
@@ -163,6 +180,12 @@ func HTTPBackendCachedPublish(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		}
 		expires = time.Unix(timeNum, 0)
 	}
+	rl, err := rateLimitFromRequest(r)
+	if err != nil {
+		w.WriteHeader(422)
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "error parsing ratelimit: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
 
 	var count int
 	msg := ClientMessage{MessageID: -1, Command: cmd, origArguments: json}
@@ -174,8 +197,25 @@ func HTTPBackendCachedPublish(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		saveLastMessage(cmd, channel, expires, json, deleteMode)
 	}
 	CachedLSMLock.Unlock()
-	count = PublishToMultiple(channels, msg)
 
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go rl.Run()
+	go func() {
+		count = PublishToMultiple(channels, msg, rl)
+		wg.Done()
+		rl.Close()
+	}()
+	ch := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		wg.Wait()
+		close(ch)
+	}()
+	select {
+	case time.After(3*time.Second):
+		count = -1
+	case <-ch:
+	}
 	w.Write([]byte(strconv.Itoa(count)))
 }
 
@@ -199,26 +239,50 @@ func HTTPBackendUncachedPublish(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 
 	if cmd == "" {
 		w.WriteHeader(422)
-		fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error: cmd cannot be blank")
+		fmt.Fprint(w, "Error: cmd cannot be blank")
 		return
 	}
 	if channel == "" && scope != "global" {
 		w.WriteHeader(422)
-		fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error: channel must be specified")
+		fmt.Fprint(w, "Error: channel must be specified")
+		return
+	}
+	rl, err := rateLimitFromRequest(r)
+	if err != nil {
+		w.WriteHeader(422)
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "error parsing ratelimit: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 
 	cm := ClientMessage{MessageID: -1, Command: CommandPool.InternCommand(cmd), origArguments: json}
 	cm.parseOrigArguments()
-	var count int
 
-	switch scope {
-	default:
-		count = PublishToMultiple(strings.Split(channel, ","), cm)
-	case "global":
-		count = PublishToAll(cm)
+	var count int
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go rl.Run()
+	go func() {
+		switch scope {
+		default:
+			count = PublishToMultiple(strings.Split(channel, ","), cm, rl)
+		case "global":
+			count = PublishToAll(cm, rl)
+		}
+		wg.Done()
+		rl.Close()
+	}()
+	ch := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		wg.Wait()
+		close(ch)
+	}()
+	select {
+	case time.After(3*time.Second):
+		count = -1
+	case <-ch:
 	}
-	fmt.Fprint(w, count)
+	w.Write([]byte(strconv.Itoa(count)))
+
 }
 
 // HTTPGetSubscriberCount handles the /get_sub_count route.
diff --git a/socketserver/server/ratelimit.go b/socketserver/server/ratelimit.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ad7b4e33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/socketserver/server/ratelimit.go
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+package server
+
+import (
+	"time"
+	"io"
+)
+
+// A RateLimit supports a constant number of Performed() calls every
+// time a given unit of time passes.
+//
+// Calls to Performed() when no "action tokens" are available will block
+// until one is available.
+type RateLimit interface {
+	// Run begins emitting tokens for the ratelimiter.
+	// A call to Run must be followed by a call to Close.
+	Run()
+	// Performed consumes one token from the rate limiter.
+	// If no tokens are available, the call will block until one is.
+	Performed()
+	// Close stops the rate limiter. Any future calls to Performed() will block forever.
+	// Close never returns an error.
+	io.Closer
+}
+
+type timeRateLimit struct{
+	count  int
+	period time.Duration
+	ch     chan struct{}
+	done   chan struct{}
+}
+
+// Construct a new RateLimit with the given count and duration.
+func NewRateLimit(count int, period time.Duration) (RateLimit) {
+	return &timeRateLimit{
+		count:  count,
+		period: period,
+		ch:     make(chan struct{}),
+		done:   make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *timeRateLimit) Run() {
+	for {
+		waiter := time.After(r.period)
+		for i := 0; i < r.count; i++ {
+			select {
+			case r.ch <- struct{}{}:
+				// ok
+			case <-r.done:
+				return
+			}
+		}
+		<-waiter
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *timeRateLimit) Performed() {
+	<-r.ch
+}
+
+func (r *timeRateLimit) Close() error {
+	close(r.done)
+	return nil
+}
+
+type unlimited struct{}
+var unlimitedInstance unlimited
+
+// Unlimited returns a RateLimit that never blocks. The Run() and Close() calls are no-ops.
+func Unlimited() (RateLimit) {
+	return unlimitedInstance
+}
+
+func (r unlimited) Run() { }
+func (r unlimited) Performed() { }
+func (r unlimited) Close() error { return nil }
diff --git a/socketserver/server/ratelimit_test.go b/socketserver/server/ratelimit_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f8ba87f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/socketserver/server/ratelimit_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package server
+
+import (
+	"time"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+var exampleData = []string{}
+
+func ExampleNewRateLimit() {
+	rl := NewRateLimit(100, 1*time.Minute)
+	go rl.Run()
+	defer rl.Close()
+
+	for _, v := range exampleData {
+		rl.Performed()
+		// do something with v
+		_ = v
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRateLimit(t *testing.T) {
+	rl := NewRateLimit(3, 100*time.Millisecond)
+	start := time.Now()
+	go rl.Run()
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		rl.Performed()
+	}
+	end := time.Now()
+	if end.Sub(start) < 100*time.Millisecond {
+		t.Error("ratelimiter did not wait for period to expire")
+	}
+	rl.Performed()
+	rl.Performed()
+	end2 := time.Now()
+	if end2.Sub(end) > 10*time.Millisecond {
+		t.Error("ratelimiter improperly waited when tokens were available")
+	}
+	rl.Close()
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/socketserver/server/subscriptions.go b/socketserver/server/subscriptions.go
index 30bc4112..90eb7aa4 100644
--- a/socketserver/server/subscriptions.go
+++ b/socketserver/server/subscriptions.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 
 type SubscriberList struct {
 	sync.RWMutex
-	Members []chan<- ClientMessage
+	Members []*ClientInfo
 }
 
 var ChatSubscriptionInfo map[string]*SubscriberList = make(map[string]*SubscriberList)
@@ -19,6 +19,18 @@ var ChatSubscriptionLock sync.RWMutex
 var GlobalSubscriptionInfo []*ClientInfo
 var GlobalSubscriptionLock sync.RWMutex
 
+func (client *ClientInfo) Send(msg ClientMessage) bool {
+	select {
+	case client.MessageChannel <- msg:
+		return true
+	case <-client.MsgChannelIsDone:
+		return false
+	default:
+		// if we can't immediately send, ignore it
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
 func CountSubscriptions(channels []string) int {
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RLock()
 	defer ChatSubscriptionLock.RUnlock()
@@ -38,70 +50,77 @@ func CountSubscriptions(channels []string) int {
 
 func SubscribeChannel(client *ClientInfo, channelName string) {
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RLock()
-	_subscribeWhileRlocked(channelName, client.MessageChannel)
+	_subscribeWhileRlocked(channelName, client)
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RUnlock()
 }
 
-func SubscribeDefaults(client *ClientInfo) {
-
-}
-
 func SubscribeGlobal(client *ClientInfo) {
 	GlobalSubscriptionLock.Lock()
 	AddToSliceCl(&GlobalSubscriptionInfo, client)
 	GlobalSubscriptionLock.Unlock()
 }
 
-func PublishToChannel(channel string, msg ClientMessage) (count int) {
+func PublishToChannel(channel string, msg ClientMessage, rl RateLimit) (count int) {
+	var found []*ClientInfo
+
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RLock()
 	list := ChatSubscriptionInfo[channel]
 	if list != nil {
 		list.RLock()
-		for _, msgChan := range list.Members {
-			msgChan <- msg
-			count++
-		}
+		found = make([]*ClientInfo, len(list.Members))
+		copy(found, list.Members)
 		list.RUnlock()
 	}
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RUnlock()
+
+	for _, cl := range found {
+		rl.Performed()
+		if cl.Send(msg) {
+			count++
+		}
+	}
 	return
 }
 
-func PublishToMultiple(channels []string, msg ClientMessage) (count int) {
-	found := make(map[chan<- ClientMessage]struct{})
+func PublishToMultiple(channels []string, msg ClientMessage, rl RateLimit) (count int) {
+	var found []*ClientInfo
 
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RLock()
-
 	for _, channel := range channels {
 		list := ChatSubscriptionInfo[channel]
 		if list != nil {
 			list.RLock()
-			for _, msgChan := range list.Members {
-				found[msgChan] = struct{}{}
+			for _, cl := range list.Members {
+				found = append(found, cl)
 			}
 			list.RUnlock()
 		}
 	}
-
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RUnlock()
 
-	for msgChan, _ := range found {
-		msgChan <- msg
-		count++
+	for _, cl := range found {
+		rl.Performed()
+		if cl.Send(msg) {
+			count++
+		}
 	}
-	return
+	return count
 }
 
-func PublishToAll(msg ClientMessage) (count int) {
+func PublishToAll(msg ClientMessage, rl RateLimit) (count int) {
+	var found []*ClientInfo
+
 	GlobalSubscriptionLock.RLock()
-	for _, client := range GlobalSubscriptionInfo {
-		select {
-		case client.MessageChannel <- msg:
-		case <-client.MsgChannelIsDone:
-		}
-		count++
-	}
+	found = make([]*ClientInfo, len(GlobalSubscriptionInfo))
+	copy(found, GlobalSubscriptionInfo)
 	GlobalSubscriptionLock.RUnlock()
+
+	for _, cl := range found {
+		rl.Performed()
+		if cl.Send(msg) {
+			count++
+		}
+	}
 	return
 }
 
@@ -110,7 +129,7 @@ func UnsubscribeSingleChat(client *ClientInfo, channelName string) {
 	list := ChatSubscriptionInfo[channelName]
 	if list != nil {
 		list.Lock()
-		RemoveFromSliceC(&list.Members, client.MessageChannel)
+		RemoveFromSliceCl(&list.Members, client)
 		list.Unlock()
 	}
 	ChatSubscriptionLock.RUnlock()
@@ -138,7 +157,7 @@ func UnsubscribeAll(client *ClientInfo) {
 		list := ChatSubscriptionInfo[v]
 		if list != nil {
 			list.Lock()
-			RemoveFromSliceC(&list.Members, client.MessageChannel)
+			RemoveFromSliceCl(&list.Members, client)
 			list.Unlock()
 		}
 	}
@@ -191,14 +210,14 @@ func pubsubJanitor_do() {
 //   - ALREADY HOLDING a read-lock to the 'which' top-level map via the rlocker object
 //   - possible write lock to the 'which' top-level map via the wlocker object
 //   - write lock to SubscriptionInfo (if not creating new)
-func _subscribeWhileRlocked(channelName string, value chan<- ClientMessage) {
+func _subscribeWhileRlocked(channelName string, value *ClientInfo) {
 	list := ChatSubscriptionInfo[channelName]
 	if list == nil {
 		// Not found, so create it
 		ChatSubscriptionLock.RUnlock()
 		ChatSubscriptionLock.Lock()
 		list = &SubscriberList{}
-		list.Members = []chan<- ClientMessage{value} // Create it populated, to avoid reaper
+		list.Members = []*ClientInfo{value} // Create it populated, to avoid reaper
 		ChatSubscriptionInfo[channelName] = list
 		ChatSubscriptionLock.Unlock()
 
@@ -212,7 +231,7 @@ func _subscribeWhileRlocked(channelName string, value chan<- ClientMessage) {
 		ChatSubscriptionLock.RLock()
 	} else {
 		list.Lock()
-		AddToSliceC(&list.Members, value)
+		AddToSliceCl(&list.Members, value)
 		list.Unlock()
 	}
 }
diff --git a/socketserver/server/types.go b/socketserver/server/types.go
index 41c0d010..3fa99084 100644
--- a/socketserver/server/types.go
+++ b/socketserver/server/types.go
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ type ClientInfo struct {
 	// This field will be nil before it is closed.
 	MessageChannel chan<- ClientMessage
 
+	// Closed when the client is shutting down.
 	MsgChannelIsDone <-chan struct{}
 
 	// Take out an Add() on this during a command if you need to use the MessageChannel later.
diff --git a/socketserver/server/utils.go b/socketserver/server/utils.go
index 9552e7bb..6657dd02 100644
--- a/socketserver/server/utils.go
+++ b/socketserver/server/utils.go
@@ -130,38 +130,6 @@ func RemoveFromSliceS(ary *[]string, val string) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
-func AddToSliceC(ary *[]chan<- ClientMessage, val chan<- ClientMessage) bool {
-	slice := *ary
-	for _, v := range slice {
-		if v == val {
-			return false
-		}
-	}
-
-	slice = append(slice, val)
-	*ary = slice
-	return true
-}
-
-func RemoveFromSliceC(ary *[]chan<- ClientMessage, val chan<- ClientMessage) bool {
-	slice := *ary
-	var idx int = -1
-	for i, v := range slice {
-		if v == val {
-			idx = i
-			break
-		}
-	}
-	if idx == -1 {
-		return false
-	}
-
-	slice[idx] = slice[len(slice)-1]
-	slice = slice[:len(slice)-1]
-	*ary = slice
-	return true
-}
-
 func AddToSliceCl(ary *[]*ClientInfo, val *ClientInfo) bool {
 	slice := *ary
 	for _, v := range slice {