Astroturfing is a deceptive practice of creating the appearance of a groundswell of support for a particular agenda by using fake or paid individuals to post positive comments, reviews, or testimonials in a coordinated manner. The aim is to manipulate public opinion by giving the impression that a large number of people hold a particular view when in reality, they are part of a coordinated effort by an interest group or organization. The term "astroturfing" is derived from the artificial turf used in sports stadiums, implying that the support being shown is not genuine.