How to Write Great Release Notes in 2024

Release notes are one of the most important ways to communicate with your users about product updates. Yet many companies treat them as an afterthought, resulting in boring, technical jargon that users ignore.

In this guide, we'll show you how to write release notes that users actually want to read.

Why Release Notes Matter

Good release notes serve multiple purposes:

• Keep users informed about new features and improvements
• Build trust by being transparent about changes
• Reduce support tickets by explaining fixes and known issues
• Drive feature adoption by highlighting valuable updates
• Show momentum and demonstrate active development

The 5 Principles of Great Release Notes

1. Write for Users, Not Developers

Bad example:

Fixed bug in authentication middleware that caused race condition in token refresh logic

Good example:

Fixed an issue where some users were randomly logged out while using the app

The second version focuses on the user impact, not the technical details.

2. Lead with Benefits

Instead of just describing what changed, explain why it matters.

Bad example:

Added bulk export functionality

Good example:

Export multiple reports at once – save time by downloading up to 100 reports in a single click

3. Use Clear Categories

Organize your updates into logical categories:

New features Improvements Bug fixes

This helps users quickly scan for what interests them.

4. Keep It Concise

Users are busy. Get to the point quickly:

• Use bullet points instead of paragraphs
• Aim for 1-2 sentences per update
• Front-load the important information

5. Include Visuals

A picture is worth a thousand words:

• Screenshots of new features
• GIFs showing interactions
• Icons for different update types

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Tools and Best Practices

Frequency

How often should you publish release notes?

• Weekly or bi-weekly: For fast-moving products with frequent updates
• Monthly: For more stable products
• Per major release: For traditional software with version numbers

The key is consistency. Pick a schedule and stick to it.

Distribution

Don't just publish release notes on your website. Push them to users:

1. In-app notifications: Show a badge or modal for new updates
2. Email newsletters: Send highlights to your user base
3. Social media: Share major features on Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
4. Blog posts: Write detailed posts for significant releases

Real-World Examples

Let's look at some companies that do release notes well:

Linear

Linear's release notes are legendary for being:

• Concise yet informative
• Beautifully designed
• Published consistently every week

Notion

Notion excels at:

• Using visuals to demonstrate features
• Writing in a friendly, conversational tone
• Highlighting user-requested features

GitHub

GitHub's changelog is great because:

• Clear categorization by product area
• Technical enough for developers
• Links to detailed documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Writing great release notes is an art that combines clear communication, user empathy, and consistent execution. By following these principles, you can turn release notes from a boring checklist into a powerful communication tool.

Start small: pick one principle from this guide and apply it to your next release. Your users will notice the difference.