Sockpuppet
A false online identity used to fake independence — voting, vouching or arguing on behalf of its operator while pretending to be a stranger.
Full definition of Sockpuppet →:: COMPARE ::
SockpuppetvsAlt account
The short answer
An alt is a second account. A sockpuppet claims to be an unrelated person. The line is not anonymity — it is whether independence is being faked.
Side by side
| Aspect | Sockpuppet | Alt account |
|---|---|---|
| Claims independence | Yes | No |
| Deceptive | By definition | Not inherently |
| Votes for its owner | Yes | No |
| Common | Less | Very |
What each one means
Alt account
The contrast above sets out how Alt account differs from Sockpuppet on the points that actually matter.