A “shitstorm” refers to the rapid and widespread dissemination of negative criticism on social media directed at a person, brand, or company. Users often express their opinions through comments, posts, or other forms of interaction, and amplify the momentum through likes, dislikes, or sharing content.

A shitstorm is often characterized by emotional, sometimes highly critical, or even offensive statements and can escalate rapidly within a short period of time.

The opposite of this is the so-called “candystorm,” in which a person or brand receives predominantly positive feedback and support from the community.