What Are Release Notes? How to Write Them Right in 2025

Release notes have evolved far beyond internal documentation—they are now a critical touchpoint between your product and its users. When crafted with care, release notes don’t just inform—they engage, build trust, and drive adoption. This guide will help you write release notes that people actually read—and act on.

What Are Release Notes?

Release notes are concise, user-facing documents published alongside new product versions or updates. Their primary goal? To inform users about what has changed—what’s new, what’s fixed, and what’s improved. But the best release notes go further. They help users understand how updates affect them and guide them toward next steps.

Release Notes vs. Changelogs

It’s easy to confuse release notes with changelogs—but they serve different audiences and purposes.

• Release Notes are explanatory. They’re written in plain language for end-users and focus on the benefits and impacts of an update.
• Changelogs, on the other hand, are technical records. They are terse lists of changes (added, fixed, removed) often used by internal teams and contributors.

Imagine a changelog entry like “v2.3.1: fixed API endpoint error in /user/update.” Release notes would translate this into: “We’ve fixed a bug that caused some profile updates to fail. Everything’s running smoothly now!”

Why Are Release Notes Important?

Enhance Transparency and Build Trust

Transparency fosters trust. Customers want to know that you're listening—and acting. When you openly share updates, even minor ones, you send a clear message: your feedback matters.

In fact, 70% of users are more likely to stay loyal to a company that communicates changes transparently. This is especially powerful when combined with a closed-loop feedback system, where users see their suggestions materialize as updates.

Drive Feature Adoption and User Engagement

Without visibility, even the most game-changing features can go unused. Great release notes bridge that gap.

Use a funnel mindset:

Feature rollout → Awareness → Engagement → Loyalty

Release notes sit at the top of this funnel, generating awareness that drives users down to engagement and, ultimately, long-term retention.

Reduce Support Burden and Churn

Clear updates reduce confusion. Instead of users reaching out to support about changes or issues, they get answers in your release notes.

For example, Feefo saw a significant drop in customer support queries after implementing in-app release notes that highlighted fixes and new features. Users felt informed—and empowered.

Key Components of Great Release Notes

Overview and Version Info

Every release note should start with the basics:

• Release name or version number
• Release date
• A one-line summary of the update

Pro tip: Use reverse chronological order. Always show the most recent updates first—it’s what users care about most.

What’s New, Fixed, or Improved

Structure matters. Use clear labels like:

• New: "Added dark mode for all dashboard views"
• Fixed: "Resolved issue with date picker not saving selections"
• Improved: "Faster loading times on mobile devices"

Bullets are your friend here. Keep it scannable and direct.

User Impact and Call to Action

Go beyond "what"—explain the "why" and "how":

• “You can now export reports in CSV format—perfect for offline analysis.”
• “Updated workflows make creating new tasks twice as fast.”

End with CTAs like:

• “Try it now”
• “Explore the new dashboard”
• “Send feedback”

Visuals and Links

A picture is worth a thousand tickets. Use:

• GIFs or screenshots to demonstrate features
• Short videos for major updates
• Links to guides or documentation for deeper learning

This increases clarity and drives further engagement.

How to Write Release Notes Your Users Will Love

Write for Humans, Not Developers

Ditch the jargon. Users care about what a change does for them—not how many lines of code it took.

Jargon-heavy: “Refactored modal interaction to decouple state logic.”
User-friendly: “We’ve made pop-up windows more responsive and easier to use.”

Speak to benefits, not internal processes.

Be Brief, Clear, and Scannable

Today’s users skim. Help them out:

• Use bold headings
• Keep sentences short
• Stick to bullet points

Also, consider UI elements like:

• Dropdowns for grouped changes
• Tags or categories (e.g., “Mobile,” “Admin,” “Bug Fixes”)

Match Your Brand Voice

Let your company’s personality shine. If you’re a friendly, playful brand, infuse your notes with that tone:

“Guess who’s got a fresh new dark mode? You do. 🕶️”

But stay aligned with your brand values—especially for serious updates or regulated industries.

Distribution Matters: Where to Share Release Notes

In-App Notifications and Modals

Contextual updates are the most effective. Let users know about new features while they’re using them. In-app banners or tooltips work wonders.

Email and Blog Posts

Use emails for major version launches. Blog posts are perfect for deep dives into the "why" behind changes.

Pro tip: Segment your email list by user role or feature use to tailor messaging.

Public Changelogs and Support Docs

Maintain a public changelog. It shows you're continuously improving and keeps stakeholders in the loop.

Support docs should link to release notes to explain any changes in UI or functionality.

App Stores and Social Media

Update your “What’s New” sections in app stores.

Use Twitter, LinkedIn, or Discord to share updates and gather real-time feedback. This not only boosts visibility but encourages community engagement.

FAQs

What is the difference between release notes and changelogs?‍

Release notes are for users—friendly, explanatory, and benefit-focused. Changelogs are technical logs for internal or contributor use.

Who should write release notes?‍

Ideally, a product marketer or technical writer. But product managers, support teams, or devs can contribute too.

How long should release notes be?‍

Brief and scannable. Aim for 200–400 words per update, unless it’s a major release.

What’s the best format for release notes?‍

Use headings (New, Fixed, Improved), bullet points, and CTAs. Include visuals and links.

How often should you update your release notes?‍

Every product update—no matter how small—should have a note. Consistency builds trust.

Should release notes be public or private?‍

Public, unless you’re dealing with sensitive enterprise updates. Transparency helps build credibility.

How can you measure the effectiveness of your release notes?‍

Track engagement: in-app click rates, feedback form submissions, or support ticket volume before/after updates.

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