What are release notes, and why do you need them? (With examples & templates)

When you ship a product update, it's crucial to let everyone know. Without proper communication, those releases will go unnoticed.

In this post, we'll cover the different types of release notes and changelogs, their importance, and best practices.

We'll also take a look at some of the best examples, templates, and insights on choosing the best changelog tool to manage your announcements efficiently.

If you're looking to start publishing release notes or want to improve your current process, tag along!

Release notes vs changelogs

Starting off, it's important to know the definitions.

What are release notes?
Release notes are product announcements aimed at end-users. They highlight new features, improvements, and fixes. Release notes are written in a simple, readable way, avoiding any jargon. The focus is on explaining the effects on users.

What are changelogs?
On the other hand, Changelogs are the detailed diary of every change made to the software. They're more technical and are often aimed at developers or users with a deeper interest in the software's internals. They provide a comprehensive history of the software's evolution, useful for debugging or understanding the development process.

Featurebase’s changelog tool aims to be a combination of release notes and changelogs. It's an innovative way to keep your users in the loop and show them that you are constantly improving.

You can use it as a separate page or embed it into your product using a neat widget. It also automatically sends emails to your users about new updates.

Whatever you use for publishing release notes, it’s important to have them. Here’s why.

Why do you need product announcements?

Product announcements are crucial for anyone aiming to engage with their audience effectively and drive growth. Here's a closer look at why they're so important:

1. Build excitement & anticipation

Announcements are powerful in generating buzz around your product. They capture the audience's attention and keep them engaged, eagerly waiting for what's next.

This sense of anticipation can lead to increased engagement on social media, forums, and other platforms, keeping your product or service at the forefront of discussions.

2. Educate your audience

Informing your users about new features, improvements, or entirely new products is essential. Detailed product announcements help them understand the functionality and benefits of updates, which enhances their overall experience.

Educated customers are more likely to utilize your product to its full potential, increasing satisfaction and usage rates.

3. Increase new feature adoption (+ help with sales)

Highlighting the latest updates or launches helps increase new feature adoption and can directly impact your sales figures.

By clearly communicating what's new and how it benefits the user, you can motivate your audience to purchase or upgrade to higher plans. Announcements can often act as the last push for users who are on the fence, nudging them to make the purchase.

4. Strengthen brand loyalty

Continuous communication through product announcements shows your commitment to growth and improvement. This consistency helps make users feel more connected and informed about the product's journey.

Customers appreciate being kept in the loop and are more likely to remain loyal to a brand that actively communicates their progress.

5. Help collect product feedback

Launching a new feature through an announcement provides an immediate platform for customer feedback (especially if you're using a tool like Featurebase.) This direct line to user opinions is invaluable and helps Product Managers identify areas of improvement and understand what works well.

The feedback gathered after the announcement can guide future development efforts, ensuring that the feature/product evolves in line with user expectations.

Who prepares release notes?

Typically in startups and smaller companies, product release notes are written by product managers or whoever is in charge of product.

However, in larger companies, they could fall under the collaborative effort between the product, development, and marketing teams.

Developers provide the technical details of what has changed, product managers ensure the updates align with user needs and company goals, and marketing helps communicate these changes in an engaging, user-friendly manner.

Types of product announcement entries

There are different types of announcements. Each one serves a specific purpose, catering to the diverse needs of your user base:

New product launches

Target audience: leads, users, team members

Product launches introduce the audience to something entirely new - highlighting key features, benefits, and the problems these products solve.

These announcements are often larger and more detailed, aiming to generate excitement and interest from potential first-time users.

Make sure these announcements are well promoted and get the attention they deserve.

Feature updates

Target audience: users, team members

When existing products get new features, these updates need their own spotlight.

Feature updates focus on explaining the added functionality, how it improves the user experience, and instructions for users to make the most out of the new features.

They're essential for keeping your users educated and engaged with your product.

Bug fixes

Target audience: users, developers

Not all changes are about adding new things - some are about improving the current experience.

Announcements that cover bug fixes and performance improvements communicate your commitment to quality and reliability.

These entries are typically straightforward, listing the issues addressed and the impact on the user experience.

Beta releases

Target audience: (power) users, developers, team members

Beta releases are a critical step in product development, and their announcements serve a dual purpose:

1. inviting users to test new features
2. collecting user feedback

They detail what's included in the beta, what feedback is needed, and how users can participate. It's a collaborative approach to help product managers perfect the feature with end-users' help.

Security updates

Target audience: users, developers

Announcements for security updates are critical for transparency and trust. They inform users about vulnerabilities that have been addressed, any actions users may need to take, and how the update improves their security.

While the technical details might be complex, the communication should always be clear and reassuring. No one wants to read long technical descriptions, so keeping them concise is important.

Changelogs

Target audience: (technical) users, developers

Unlike other announcement types, changelogs are detailed and technical, aimed at those who want to know exactly what has changed. They usually include:

• Version number
• Release date
• Description of the latest release
• User impact
• Manual for future use
• Screenshots and links

Developers use changelogs to track updates, troubleshoot issues, and stay informed about software changes. There are many great changelog tools on the market, to help with that.

Product update formats

Choosing the right format for your product updates ensures your message reaches your audience effectively. Different formats offer unique advantages and cater to various platforms and user needs. Let's explore the most common formats for presenting product updates.

Changelog format

The traditional changelog format is a staple in the software industry. It's a structured document that lists updates chronologically, often starting with the most recent.

Each entry typically includes the version number, release date, and a categorized list of changes that can include:

• Added (for new features)
• Changed (for updates to existing features)
• Fixed (for bug fixes)
• Removed (for deprecated features)

This structured approach is especially beneficial for developers and technical users who seek a comprehensive yet quick overview of updates.

Text file

The text file format is the most straightforward method for documenting software release notes. Simply put, it's a text document that lists changes in reverse chronological order, with the newest updates at the top.

For each update, you should include the version number, a concise description of the change, and any other pertinent details. This format is universally accessible, making it easy for anyone to create and read.

However, its simplicity also means it lacks the visual appeal and interactive elements possible in other formats.

HTML

HTML is the way to go for those looking to add a visual punch to their product release notes. It offers extensive flexibility in styling and layout, enabling the inclusion of links, images, and other multimedia elements.

It takes product updates to the web, offering a rich presentation that can include hyperlinks, styling, and multimedia elements like images and videos.

This format is ideal for more engaging and interactive announcements, though it requires web development skills to create and update.

Markdown

Markdown is a lightweight markup language designed for formatting text easily and intuitively. It's become increasingly popular for writing product updates, especially in environments that support Markdown rendering, like GitHub or CMS platforms.

It offers a middle ground between the simplicity of plain text and the rich formatting of HTML. With Markdown, you can easily create readable documents that include headers, lists, links, and other formatting elements without advanced HTML knowledge.

Note: Consistency in your chosen format is key - it helps your audience know what to expect and where to find the information they need.

What to include in product announcements

When you're putting together a product announcement, you want to ensure it grabs attention and delivers the message clearly. Including the right elements can make all the difference. Here's what you should consider adding:

Bullet Points

Use bullet points to break down the key features or updates. This makes the information easy to scan and understand.

Highlight the essentials by picking the most significant changes or new features and list them out. This helps readers quickly grasp the main updates of your announcement.

Visuals

Adding images or graphics to your announcement can drastically enhance its attractiveness and engage your audience. Visuals are a powerful tool to "show" rather than "tell" what's new.

If you've updated the design or added a new feature, showing it through a visual can deliver your message more effectively than words alone.

Videos

Videos offer a dynamic way to communicate your message and can create a stronger connection with your audience. They're especially useful for demonstrating how new features work or showing off product improvements in a way that text and images alone cannot.

A well-produced video can capture attention and deliver a comprehensive understanding of your updates in a format that's easy to consume and share.

Ahrefs is a prime example of this with their Rapid-fire Product Updates.

Links

Finally, include links to more detailed information, be it a detailed blog post, product documentation, or a FAQ page.

Links can guide users to where they can try new features, sign up for a trial, or directly purchase, making it easy for them to take the next step.

Good to know: Featurebase allows you to link updates to existing feature requests on your feedback board. This way users can see the full request and its comments with a click of a button.

Best practices for release notes

Writing great release notes is important to ensure users read those updates. It's not just about listing a bunch of changes - it's about doing it in a way that's easy for everyone to understand. Here are some top tips to get it right. 👇

1. Don't get overly technical

While providing enough detail to inform users about the changes is important, diving too deep into technical jargon can scare away a large portion of your audience.

Aim to explain updates in a way that is accessible to all users, not just the technically savvy ones.

Use simple language and, if necessary, provide links to more detailed technical documentation for those interested in diving deeper.

2. Make them clear & concise

Clarity and conciseness should be your guiding principles when writing release notes. Users often skim through these documents to quickly find information that's relevant to them.

Clearly label each section (e.g., "New Features," "Bug Fixes," "Improvements") and keep descriptions brief but informative.

This approach helps users easily understand what has changed and how it affects their product use.

3. Post consistently

Consistency in posting product release notes builds trust and sets expectations for your users. Whether you release updates weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, stick to a schedule. Even if you don't have a set schedule, make sure to publish an update about each feature you build.

Regular updates keep your users informed and demonstrate your ongoing commitment to improving the product. A predictable release cycle means users will know when to look for new information, keeping them engaged with your product's development.

4. Format consistently

Just as important as posting consistency is formatting consistency. Use the same structure, headings, and style in each set of release notes. This makes it easier for users to find the information they need quickly.

I strongly suggest using reverse chronological order for your release notes. Many users expect this already, making it easier to navigate for them.

Consistent formatting reduces the amount of thinking your users have to do and makes your updates more user-friendly.

5. Involve other departments

Creating effective release notes shouldn't be the sole responsibility of the development team. Involve other departments such as marketing, customer service, and even sales.

Other teams can provide valuable insights into what features or fixes should be highlighted, how to phrase updates in a user-centric way, and what information is most relevant to your audience.

Collaboration ensures that your release notes are comprehensive, covering all bases, from technical updates to user experience improvements.

Release notes and changelog examples

Understanding the theory behind effective release notes and changelogs is one thing, but seeing them in action is another.

Let’s take a look at how different companies utilize these tools to keep their users engaged and informed.

Many of our customers use Featurebase’s changelog tool. They find it simple to use and easy to engage users.

Here's how Reword ships their release notes. Their updates feature a relevant image while being short and simple to read.

The changelog page features a collaborative comment section and reaction where users can engage with them and leave additional feedback.

Something that many of our customers especially love is being able to bring the updates into their own products using beautiful widgets.

"We want to increase new-feature adoption in our SaaS, so we moved to Featurebase. We love the way we are now able to share updates from our product." - Olly, Co-Founder of Senja.io

Here's an example of how Senja brings changelogs into their product to boost engagement:

The in-app popup is connected to the changelog page (seen in the previous example). So, writing an update there will automatically queue one in your app - no extra work needed.

Moving forward, we love Daybridge's changelogs for their user-friendliness. You can understand the key updates already from the illustration. The release notes are also easy to read with the help of emojis and headings.

If you like the layout of the full changelog page but want to have the updates inside your app, consider a changelog widget. It can be easily connected to a button and will display a notification badge when you post a new update.

If you're looking to publish a more technical changelog in GitHub, for example, this is a handy template.

Conclusion

All in all, there's no better way to keep all your users involved, engaged, and updated than through release notes.

Managing and sharing these updates doesn't have to be a headache. Tools like Featurebase make writing release notes a child's play and help engage your users with automated emails and in-app popups. 

Start publishing changelogs with Featurebase for free →