diff --git a/lib/storage/channels.js b/lib/storage/channels.js
index d013855..a40173a 100644
--- a/lib/storage/channels.js
+++ b/lib/storage/channels.js
@@ -83,6 +83,9 @@ export async function createChannel(application, { name, userId }) {
   return channel;
 }
 
+// Retention period for unread count (only count recent items)
+const UNREAD_RETENTION_DAYS = 30;
+
 /**
  * Get all channels for a user
  * @param {object} application - Indiekit application
@@ -101,12 +104,17 @@ export async function getChannels(application, userId) {
     .sort({ order: 1 })
     .toArray();
 
-  // Get unread counts for each channel
+  // Calculate cutoff date for unread counts (only count recent items)
+  const cutoffDate = new Date();
+  cutoffDate.setDate(cutoffDate.getDate() - UNREAD_RETENTION_DAYS);
+
+  // Get unread counts for each channel (only recent items)
   const channelsWithCounts = await Promise.all(
     channels.map(async (channel) => {
       const unreadCount = await itemsCollection.countDocuments({
         channelId: channel._id,
         readBy: { $ne: userId },
+        published: { $gte: cutoffDate },
       });
 
       return {
diff --git a/lib/storage/items.js b/lib/storage/items.js
index ed6d7ab..6896807 100644
--- a/lib/storage/items.js
+++ b/lib/storage/items.js
@@ -562,6 +562,9 @@ export async function deleteItemsForFeed(application, feedId) {
   return result.deletedCount;
 }
 
+// Retention period for unread count (only count recent items)
+const UNREAD_RETENTION_DAYS = 30;
+
 /**
  * Get unread count for a channel
  * @param {object} application - Indiekit application
@@ -574,9 +577,14 @@ export async function getUnreadCount(application, channelId, userId) {
   const objectId =
     typeof channelId === "string" ? new ObjectId(channelId) : channelId;
 
+  // Only count items from the last UNREAD_RETENTION_DAYS
+  const cutoffDate = new Date();
+  cutoffDate.setDate(cutoffDate.getDate() - UNREAD_RETENTION_DAYS);
+
   return collection.countDocuments({
     channelId: objectId,
     readBy: { $ne: userId },
+    published: { $gte: cutoffDate },
   });
 }
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 87f413f..0c36869 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@rmdes/indiekit-endpoint-microsub",
-  "version": "1.0.25",
+  "version": "1.0.26",
   "description": "Microsub endpoint for Indiekit. Enables subscribing to feeds and reading content using the Microsub protocol.",
   "keywords": [
     "indiekit",