Changelog Template Examples: 5 Types You Can Copy Today

A changelog template is a reusable structure for announcing product changes: a headline, a short explanation of what changed and why it matters, a visual, and a call to action. The five most common changelog template types are introduction, what's new, bug fix, improvements, and integrations. This guide gives you a fill-in-the-brackets template and a real changelog example for each type.

Not everyone reads changelogs, but the people who do read them matter. Many SaaS businesses struggle to keep a changelog that stays useful for the readers who need it most: the internal team and the more technical users.

The right product update tool makes this easier. Save one template per change type and each new entry takes minutes. Start with the templates below and adapt them to your product.

Table of Contents

• Why Are Changelogs Important?
• Who Needs a Changelog?
• 7 Guiding Principles for Every Changelog Template
• How Do I Decide Which Changelog Template To Use?
• 5 Changelog Template Types With an Example of Each
• 4 Signs of a Bad Changelog Template
• Write Changelogs Your Audience Will Read With AnnounceKit

Why Are Changelogs Important?

Buying and installing software is no longer a one-time event. It is an ongoing journey, because constant updates change what the product looks like and how customers use it.

A changelog lets your technical team and your users follow that journey with you. A changelog page is the museum of a product: it documents every change in chronological order. It is the central place to keep your historical record, show how far you have come, and tell users what is new.

Your technical team gets an easy-to-find record of every change. Your users see a commitment to transparency at each step. That trust feeds directly into your product's success.

So a changelog is more than a way to keep track of changes. It is also proof that your product keeps getting better.

Who Needs a Changelog?

Consider adding a changelog if your company:

• Wants to build a better product
• Values customer feedback; and
• Wants to help the team keep track of updates

Seeing the product's history in one place pushes your team to build the best product possible and take ownership of each update. That shared record builds team spirit across the company.

Customers benefit too. When they see their concerns addressed and documented in the changelog, they feel heard and stay engaged. There is no angle a changelog cannot improve.

7 Guiding Principles for Every Changelog Template

Want to write a changelog people actually read? Follow these principles no matter which changelog template you use. They apply to a public changelog page as much as to a CHANGELOG.md file, and our guide on how to keep a changelog covers each one in more depth:

• Changelogs are written for humans, not machines.
• Every version gets its own entry.
• The same types of changes are grouped together.
• Versions and sections contain links.
• The latest version always comes first.
• The release date of each version is clearly displayed.
• The changelog states whether you follow semantic versioning (SemVer) or another type of versioning. If you are unsure how to number releases, see our guide to changelog versioning.

How Do I Decide Which Changelog Template To Use?

You are not the first company to create a changelog, so you do not have to reinvent the wheel. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of changelog examples you can mimic once you find one you like.

The two changelog examples below take completely different approaches. Pick the one that fits your product and model yours after it.

You can also use AnnounceKit's interactive changelog tool to create a changelog for your software in minutes and keep everyone informed about product updates.

Zoom Changelog Example

Zoom's changelog is robust. It is organized by feature type, with sub-bullets that share more detailed information under each one.

WordPress Changelog Example

WordPress lists every release with a link to the changelog for that version, so you can scroll through all of them quickly. You can cover 20 years of versions in about 30 seconds.

These two changelog examples make two points:

1. There is no "perfect" way to do it.
2. You do not need to reinvent the wheel.

Find changelog examples you like and replicate them. If you already have a changelog somewhere else and want to move it, our guide to changelog migration covers the common concerns.

The next section shows the most common changelog templates, with an example of each, so you can copy them and save time.

5 Changelog Template Types With an Example of Each

After a lot of research, AnnounceKit grouped our best changelog templates into five categories to inspire your product communication and lighten the load.

Copy a template into your dashboard, replace the text in [brackets] with your own details, and you are ready to publish.

#1: Introduction Changelog Template

First, let your users know that you now keep a changelog.

Greet them with open arms. Keep it friendly and tell them you would like to take them along on the journey.

Here is an example of how to capture users' attention and introduce your changelog:

New Public Changelog!

Our team is happy and humbled to see you here.

We will be using this page to announce new features on [App Name] from now on. You will be able to access it directly in your [Location].

[GIF/Image/Video]

Introduction Changelog Example

#2: What's New Changelog Templates

What's new?

This category covers the important new features and functionality you want to highlight.

Here is a basic formula for a what's new changelog entry:

• Keep the title simple and direct. Users skim while scrolling for feature updates, so name the feature in the title.
• Decide on your audience and tune your voice accordingly.
• Write short and informative content.
• Add relevant images, screenshots, videos, and GIFs to catch users' attention. At AnnounceKit, we believe the text-image-text model is king.
• Link to the related help desk article and give users a clear call to action.

The same formula works for longer release notes. For more, see our release note examples and templates.

Use the formula with these changelog templates:

1. [Feature Name] is Launched!

Hey there,

We have some awesome news! Our [Feature Name] has now been officially launched!

Ever wanted to [Action]? Now you can!

[GIF/Image/Video]

Be the first to learn about [Feature Name].

2. Change the Way You [Action] With [Feature Name]!

Hey, [Your App] world!

We are happy to announce our new [Feature Name]. It is now easier to [Action] with our [Feature Name], fresh from the oven.

[GIF/Image/Video]

Just go to [Relevant Page] and activate yours today.

3. [Feature Name] Is Ready To Be Served! [Emoji]

We have some exciting news! [Feature Name] has been officially launched.

You ask, we deliver! Now with [Feature Name], you have another great way to [Action].

[GIF/Image/Video]

Click here to try [Feature Name] immediately!

4. [Feature Name]

[Problem]

Wouldn't it be better to [Solution]? Good news. We are now providing you with [Feature Name].

[CTA]

What's New Changelog Example

#3: Bug Fix Changelog Templates

What bug have we fixed?

This category is dedicated to bug fixes and performance improvements.

Always explain the problem, the solution, and the benefit.

Ask yourself:

• "What did I fix?"
• "How will this affect performance?"
• "How will the user experience it?"

Fill in the brackets in these changelog templates to write more appealing fix notes:

1. [Feature Name] is Fixed!

Hey there,

[Action] could not be used properly in the past, which was bad for anyone who [Specify the Need]. Now it can be. Did you hear that? It is now fixed!

[GIF/Image/Video] -if necessary-

Click here to see how it works now.

2. Alright, Alright! The [Problem] With [Feature Name] Is Over!

Anyone hoping for [Action] was disappointed when [Feature Name] caused [Problem].

Dear users, listen carefully! Your disappointment is over. We fixed [Feature Name].

[GIF/Image/Video] -if necessary-

[Feature Name] lovers, let's take it from the beginning.

3. [Date] Fixes

[Date], Fixed: [Feature Name] sometimes showed [Problem]. Now you can [Action].

[Date], Fixed: [Feature Name] can now be displayed. Hooray!

[Date], Fixed: App no longer crashes if you [Action].

[Date], Fixed: We fixed an issue with [Action] to improve your [Feature Name] experience.

4. [Feature Name] Issues... [Feature Name] Issues Everywhere!

We just started rolling out a new version of [Feature Name] that fixes some minor issues and bugs.

Bug Fix Changelog Example

#4: Improvements Changelog Templates

You might think users are less excited about improvements than you are. In practice, even minor changes can give your product a distinct feel.

People notice improvements and want to hear about them. Answer the question, "What improvements have we pushed to existing features?"

Use the improvements formula with these changelog templates:

1. New and Improved [Feature Name]!

Here is a nice improvement for you! You can now [Action].

[GIF/Image/Video]

Just go to [Relevant Page] > [Relevant Section] to see what you can do now. So easy!

Click here to change [Feature Name] settings: [Link]

2. Yet Another [Feature Name] Improvement!

You asked for it and we answered! It is now even easier to [Action] with the [Feature Name] improvement. Don't waste any more time on [Problem].

[GIF/Image/Video]

Now you can:

• [Action]
• [Action]
• [Action]

3. Check Out Our New Version ASAP!

Now we have everything you need, but better.

We added a wide variety of [App Name] actions, like [Actions] and more, to [Location], so everything you need is in one handy place.

[GIF/Image/Video]

To find and use [Feature Name], log in now!

Improvements Changelog Example

#5: Integrations Changelog Templates

Use your changelog to announce technical integrations and collaborations with other brands. Explain how each integration improves your users' workflow.

For integration announcements, consider one of these templates:

1. [Your App] + [X App] Integration Is Out!

Are you on [X App]? Of course you are. That is why this new [Your App] + [X App] integration could not be more exciting for you!

[GIF/Image/Video]

Available in [Plan]

Click here to connect [Your App] with [X App].

2. Attention Please, [Your App] + [X App] Integration Is Coming!

Ever wanted to connect [Your App] to more tools? You can now use [X App] to connect [Your App] directly to [Action].

[GIF/Image/Video]

This new [Your App] + [X App] integration is available for [Plan]

Set up the [Your App] + [X App] integration today and improve your workflow!

3. More and More Integrations!

We just launched a brand-new integration with [X App] that lets you [Action].

[GIF/Image/Video]

Now you can get started.

Check out our [Your App] + [X App] integration here > [Link]

Integrations Changelog Example

4 Signs of a Bad Changelog Template

Now that we have covered good changelog template examples, here are four things you should not add.

#1: Using Commit Logs as a Changelog

Like changelogs, commit logs record changes to a version-controlled project. Unlike changelogs, they are full of technical jargon and noise, and they are unfriendly to non-developer users.

Commit logs document each step in the evolution of the source code. Users do not need to see any of that, and they probably do not want to.

Keep your changelog easy to read and digestible. Leave the commit log out of it.

#2: Neglecting or Ignoring Deprecations

When users upgrade from one version to the next, it should be crystal clear what might break or end. Your changelog should highlight deprecated features, say where those elements were removed, and point to the upgraded version.

If you do nothing else, include every deprecation, removal, and breaking change. Keep things smooth and transparent. That is how customers know you are working to give them the best possible product.

#3: Confusing Dates

Date formats vary around the world, and not all of your users live where you do. You may write 8-12-2024 and mean August 12th, 2024. A user across the pond may read it as December 8th, 2024.

Avoid the confusion by using the format that runs from largest to smallest unit: year/month/day.

#4: Inconsistent Changes

If you are not documenting every impactful change, why have a changelog at all?

Many small changes will not be relevant enough to include (removing a single whitespace, for instance). Every significant change should be there. Your changelog should be the single source of truth for your product. If you do not update it accurately and consistently, users will have a hard time trusting it.

The progression of your changelog should be a badge of honor and a proud record of the improvements and features you added to your product, not something to hide from the public.

AnnounceKit makes it easy to show those achievements in a fun and relatable way. Take your changelogs directly to your audience with our intuitive product announcement software.

Write Changelogs Your Audience Will Read With AnnounceKit

These templates help you create changelogs, but a dedicated tool makes it even easier. If you have searched for changelog templates for any length of time, you have probably found websites full of code and no simple solution.

AnnounceKit provides a simple solution for creating changelogs.

Our no-code changelog tool saves time by delivering product updates efficiently. If you are starting from scratch, our guide on how to write a changelog walks through the first entry step by step.

With AnnounceKit you can:

• Share product changelogs that both internal teams and users understand.
• Let your dev team focus on product enhancements.
• Learn what your audience thinks about each update with built-in analytics.

AnnounceKit also offers other features like eye-catching widgets, increased visibility, and instant feedback from your users. Join the 2,000+ teams that ship their product updates with AnnounceKit.

Get started for free today!