Sock Puppet

A sock puppet (or “sock”) is a second account created to deceive, often by impersonating someone, or evading someone’s block. Having multiple accounts can be legitimate. What makes a sock puppet different is the intent to mislead. On FetLife, alt accounts are allowed; sock puppets are not. Alternative accounts violate the site’s Content Guidelines when they’re used to bypass blocks, bans, or lockouts.

Why Do People Have a Sock Puppet?

There are different reasons why people have sock puppet accounts. Here are a few:

To Spy on Others

Sock puppet accounts are often created to lurk around blocks. When one user blocks another, they are prevented from seeing the blocked person's activity, so they spin up a second account to watch without being seen. Because blocking hides both parties from each other, a “stealth” account can feel like a loophole, but it is against FetLife's Content Guidelines.

To Scam Others

Sock puppet accounts can also be a person creating a fake persona to get different kinds of attention. This would also be considered catfishing, but a sock puppet account might be used so that the person can use their main account to boost the scam account's credibility for nefarious reasons.

Origins of the Term

The terms refers to a literal sock puppet that is controlled by a hand that is hidden. They control the actions but remain anonymous and out of sight.

Related Terms

• Catfish