sockpuppeting
Sockpuppeting is the practice of maintaining multiple online identities to deceive others. In online communities such as message boards, social networks, wikis, and review sites, a sockpuppet account is used to present a false sense of consensus, support, or authority. The term typically refers to deceptive use, as opposed to legitimate multiple accounts for convenience or privacy. Sockpuppets are often created to influence discussions, evade moderation, or manipulate reputations.
Common methods include creating fictional personas, posting under these identities in coordinated ways, interjecting favorable comments,
Detection and enforcement vary by platform but often involve behavioral analysis, linkability of accounts, content similarity,
Sockpuppetry is related to concepts such as astroturfing and coordinated inauthentic behavior and is commonly addressed