Wikipedia:The duck test

This is an essay on the sock puppetry policy. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

Shortcuts WP:DUCK WP:QUACK WP:DUCKTEST WP:FOWLPLAY

This page in a nutshell: Administrators may take action against sock puppetry or meat puppetry if there are obvious correlations in behavior.

The duck test—"If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck"—suggests that something can be identified by its habitual characteristics.

The duck test does not apply to non-obvious cases. Unless there is evidence which proves otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt, editors must assume good faith from others.