{"id":4128,"date":"2024-10-09T17:12:35","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T17:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/?p=4128"},"modified":"2024-10-09T17:12:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T17:12:37","slug":"release-note-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/release-note-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"Release Notes Examples &amp; Templates: Take Your Release Notes to the Next Level"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Updated September 23rd, 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the fast-paced world of software and product development, staying ahead of the game is crucial. Release notes have long been vital to keeping users informed about updates and improvements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Too often, these essential messages get lost in the sea of mundane and uninspiring content.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>That\u2019s why we are here to show you how to improve your release notes and turn them into engaging, informative, and even enjoyable pieces of communication.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re exploring the significance of release notes, sharing some outstanding release notes examples \u2014 <em>as well as some examples that could be improved<\/em> \u2014 and most importantly, revealing key strategies to create top-notch notes that captivate your audience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow along for ways to transform your release notes game and make a lasting impact on your users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#release-note-examples-1\">What Are Product Release Notes?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#release-note-examples-2\">Where Do Companies Go Wrong With Product Release Notes?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#release-note-examples-3\">What Do Good Release Notes Look Like?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#release-note-examples-4\">What Not To Include In Release Notes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#release-note-examples-5\">Example Release Notes \u201cTemplate\u201d: Follow These 9 Tips &amp; Strategies for Writing Epic Release Notes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#release-note-examples-6\">AnnounceKit and the Segmentation Feature<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#f8fafc;line-height:1.6\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5433\" style=\"width:151px;height:28px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png 946w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-300x57.png 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-768x146.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b2eccd6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#202642;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><strong>Free Release Notes: Quick Setup, Easy To Use, Many Integrations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#667d9f\">Get release notes set up for your brand in less than 30 minutes. Simple, easy, and automated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" style=\"background-color:#3778ff\">TRY IT FOR FREE NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#3778ff;font-size:15px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=saas-development-process\">Go to Website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-1\">What Are Product Release Notes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Product release notes are a document or set of documents that accompany the release of a new pProduct release notes are documents or sets of documents that accompany the release of a new product, feature, or update. They usually include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A description of the new product<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Changes to the old product<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Known issues or bugs; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their workarounds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Software release notes, for example, come in a bulleted form that comes alongside a software release to tell users what has changed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Release notes can easily become a boring, technical document nobody likes to read or write. Our mission as <a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/what-it-takes-to-be-a-great-product-manager\/\">product managers<\/a> is to make these notes more appealing, interesting, and informative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-and-templates-2\">Why Should Companies Care About Release Notes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t announce a new update to your users, they may not notice it. No one wants to develop new features that are not going to be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Product release notes can help businesses keep track of how well their products are performing and identify potential issues. They also provide a way for customers to learn about new features and updates and provide <a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/use-cases\/customer-feedback\">feedback<\/a> on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Developing new features and announcing new updates can increase user adoption. This is one of the things companies want the most and is key for companies to have a loyal customer following.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other goals of release notes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhancing user experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improving the public reputation of the product and corresponding company<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reducing the burden on support teams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helping users and organizations plan for updates, upgrades, and fixes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generating excitement and anticipation for new features and products<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-2\">Where Do Companies Go Wrong With Product Release Notes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Three main problems associated with release notes typically involve:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Broken communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Note management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Distribution channels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest problem companies face is a lack of communication within their teams. Even in small companies, the technical team may find it difficult to explain what has changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving release notes tasks to the development team is another place where companies go wrong. The development teams tend to write very technical release notes that only people with a Ph.D. in computer science could understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, it comes down to not having the right tools and processes in place to consistently push out relevant and engaging release notes. <strong>AnnounceKit has a comprehensive yet easy-to-use <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/use-cases\/release-notes-tool\"><strong>release notes tool<\/strong><\/a><strong> to help with that.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Readers don\u2019t care how something was fixed;<\/em><strong>they only care about the final result and how they can benefit from the update.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-3\">What Do Good Release Notes Look Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Good release notes are clear, concise, and user-focused. They provide users, customers, and stakeholders with essential information about the changes and improvements made in a software update or new release.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good release notes generally include the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Version number: <\/strong>Clearly state the version number of the software update to help users identify which release they are using.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release date: <\/strong>Include the date when the release became available, giving users a sense of when the changes took effect.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Summary of changes: <\/strong>Provide a brief and user-friendly summary of the key changes, enhancements, or fixes made in the release. This should be written in plain language that most users can understand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact on users:<\/strong> Explain how the changes will affect users and their experience with the software. Will they see new features, improved performance, or bug fixes? Will their workflow change in any way?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bug fixes: <\/strong>List any specific bugs or issues that have been resolved. Describe the problem, the impact it had, and how it has been fixed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New features: <\/strong>Highlight any new features or functionalities introduced in the release. Provide a clear description of what the feature does and how users can benefit from it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhancements: <\/strong>Detail any improvements or enhancements to existing features. Users should know how these enhancements make their experience better or more efficient.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Known issues:<\/strong> If there are known issues or limitations in the release that have not been addressed, disclose them. This helps manage user expectations and can prevent confusion or frustration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release history: <\/strong>Consider including a brief history of previous releases or a link to a more comprehensive release history page for those who want to review changes over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Release notes play a vital role in building trust and transparency between the software provider and its users, which is why they should inform and engage use<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They should be easy to read, free from technical jargon, and provide a positive and user-centric perspective. This<strong> <\/strong>ensures they understand the value and impact of the changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#f8fafc;line-height:1.6\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5433\" style=\"width:151px;height:28px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png 946w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-300x57.png 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-768x146.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b2eccd6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#202642;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><strong>Free Release Notes: Quick Setup, Easy To Use, Many Integrations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#667d9f\">Get release notes set up for your brand in less than 30 minutes. Simple, easy, and automated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" style=\"background-color:#3778ff\">TRY IT FOR FREE NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#3778ff;font-size:15px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=saas-development-process\">Go to Website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-and-templates-4\">Best Release Notes Examples: 5 Awesome Sources of Inspiration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s look at the best release notes examples from well-known companies and how you can learn from them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1: Salesforce<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/form\/demo\/salesforce-products\/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiIOmBhDjARIsAP6YhSXiwJGWjxEhQfObEaKxILAG6Hem8GGGbg9vZjSM-1N9BLBaFCwrBj4aAj89EALw_wcB&amp;d=7013y000002O4MG&amp;nc=7010M000002QR17&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=prospect_segmentation&amp;ef_id=Cj0KCQjwiIOmBhDjARIsAP6YhSXiwJGWjxEhQfObEaKxILAG6Hem8GGGbg9vZjSM-1N9BLBaFCwrBj4aAj89EALw_wcB:G:s&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Salesforce<\/a> is a CRM platform with many products under its umbrella. Keeping customers updated about new features and product changes can feel like hell for technical writers, product managers, and developers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It appears as though the company prepares quarterly release notes, called \u201cSalesforce Summer \u201919 Release Notes,\u201d a comprehensive release notes page with its categories and subcategories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Salesforce release notes are a blend of regular release notes as well as product maps. They provide a detailed explanation of how each feature will work and specifically to which users they will be available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/releasenotes2.jpg\" alt=\"release notes example and release notes template\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Salesforce provides a step-by-step to their release notes that allows users to fully understand and apply any updates that pertain to them, as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1: <\/strong>Explain what the new feature is all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Explain what the new feature is all about<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You no longer have to switch to Salesforce Classic to manage territory assignments on the Account page. You can now edit the Assigned Territories-related list in Lightning Experience. Previously, the related list was read-only in Lightning Experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You no longer have to [do X action] to perform [Y action]. You can now do [Z action]. Previously you were able to do only [Q action].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>Explain how to enable or access the feature<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Where: This change applies to Lightning Experience in Performance and Developer editions and Enterprise and Unlimited editions with the Sales Cloud.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3: <\/strong>Explain how to use the feature<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>How: If your Account page layout includes the Assigned Territories related list, no setup is required. Click Assign Territories and assign to manage assignments.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/releasenotes3.jpg\" alt=\"Release notes app and tool examples\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2: Sketch<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If your product is not overly complicated and is not a platform with a big umbrella of sub-tools, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sketch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sketch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The layout of their release note is interesting. On the right side, you have a detailed description of all new features and bug fixes. On the left, you see the descriptions of the main features as well as their CTA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, we see a simple release notes template:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can now do [X action]. You can easily do [Y action]. We\u2019ve also introduced a new [Z feature]. [Description of what the Z feature helps users to achieve.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1_releasenotes4.jpg\" alt=\"Sketch's Release notes exmaple &amp; release notes template\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The release starts with their \u201cSmart Distribute Upgrades.\u201d Here\u2019s what they have to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>You can now use Smart Distribute to control the spacing in grids. You can easily adjust the vertical spacing between rows of layers, as well as the horizontal spacing between each layer in a row.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We\u2019ve also introduced a new \u2018Tidy\u2019 button to the Inspector. It quickly aligns a selection of multiple layers into a neat grid, making it even easier to create and manage complex layouts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>In improvements:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>We\u2019ve added a new Select All in Artboard command to the Edit menu so you can quickly grab all of the layers on any Artboard you\u2019ve selected. We\u2019ve also given the different Select All commands their sub-menu.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>We added [X feature], so you can now do [Y action].<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Fixed a crash that could occur when you try to drag-to-select with the Magic Wand tool.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Fixed a bug where the correct type weight wouldn\u2019t appear for fonts with the same name.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Fixed a bug in the Pages and Layer Lists where selections wouldn\u2019t highlight correctly when connected to an external display.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Coming back to user-oriented release notes, this example shows the importance of understanding that we are writing our release notes for our target audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Salesforce writes its releases for:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>People without technical backgrounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sales departments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marketers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Entrepreneurs; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Founders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sketch is used by graphic designers and artists. Both Salesforce and Sketch use a generic tone, are very user-friendly, and are oriented toward real people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3: Getpostman<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If your product is technical and your users are developers, then the opposite approach to release notes is a rule of thumb. Consider a shorter, more technical, and not as visually appealing approach when writing release notes for developers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.postman.com\/release-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Getpostman<\/a> is a technical product for developers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Release notes can be quickly scanned through to give a general idea of what\u2019s new, and they follow a very simplistic format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In each update, the number, date, and information can be included in one sentence. The update does not require details about what it means for a user, how to use it, or how to access it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The simpler, the better as the developers will understand it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/releasenotes1-fin.jpg\" alt=\"Get postman release notes template &amp; example\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4: Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, someone uses words effectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those who don\u2019t know, Slack is a corporate communication application used by company employees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides the announcements in the app stores, they also share the product release notes via the browser, just like Twitter, but there is a slight difference between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Slack_web-2-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\" class=\"wp-image-4155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Slack_web-2-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Slack_web-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Slack_web-2-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Slack_web-2-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Slack_web-2.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Product release notes may not have a large readership. But if it\u2019s going to be shared, why not strive for quality release notes? <a href=\"https:\/\/slack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Slack<\/a> said:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cWe\u2019ll return you to your regular, more interesting types of release next time (we hope).\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if their update fails, their friendly approach is what readers want to see. \ud83e\udd70<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at Slack\u2019s updated notes for mobile devices:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"594\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/slack_mobile_devices-594x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"product release notes\" class=\"wp-image-4158\" style=\"width:372px;height:639px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/slack_mobile_devices-594x1024.jpeg 594w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/slack_mobile_devices-174x300.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/slack_mobile_devices.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The team at Slack shows they genuinely care about their product release notes by being as detailed as possible. In addition, they make it easy to read by categorizing all updates under related headings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What can we learn from Slack? Here are a few highlights of this release note example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The release notes are comprehensive \u2705<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They have been written in a way that anyone can understand \u2705<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s easy to scan and find what you\u2019re looking for with helpful headings \u2705<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We give Slack an A+ for these release note examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#5: Tumblr<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, the release notes we\u2019ve reviewed have been very plain in design. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tumblr<\/a> seems to have raised the bar where aesthetics are concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a social platform, they must make a good impression in all areas, including the web page where their release notes are shared.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"694\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_web_release-1024x694.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\" class=\"wp-image-4161\" style=\"width:692px;height:468px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_web_release-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_web_release-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_web_release-768x520.jpg 768w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_web_release.jpg 1253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Another admirable quality Tumblr has in its product release notes is that it also shares future improvements.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"606\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/upcoming.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\" class=\"wp-image-4162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/upcoming.jpg 606w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/upcoming-300x83.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>They do this to show that they\u2019re dedicated to making planned and regular updates. <em>Kudos to Tumblr for having one of the best release notes examples we could find.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-4\">What Not To Include In Release Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s important to provide clear and relevant information in release notes while avoiding unnecessary or confusing details.&nbsp;Here are some things you should generally <strong>avoid<\/strong> including in release notes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Technical jargon:<\/strong> Release notes should be written in a way that most users can understand. Avoid excessive technical terminology that might confuse non-technical users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Irrelevant information:<\/strong> Only include changes and updates that are relevant to the end-users. Avoid including details that do not impact the user experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Internal notes: <\/strong>Internal comments, notes, or references that are meant for the development team should not be part of public release notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unfinished features:<\/strong> If a feature or enhancement is incomplete or still in beta testing, it&#8217;s typically best not to include it in the release notes. Users may become frustrated or confused if they encounter incomplete or non-functional features.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bug numbers or error codes: <\/strong>Users don&#8217;t need to see specific bug numbers or error codes. Instead, describe the issue and how it has been addressed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vague descriptions:<\/strong> Avoid vague or overly general descriptions of changes. Be specific about what has been updated, fixed, or added.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minor cosmetic changes:<\/strong> Small visual changes or cosmetic updates that do not significantly impact functionality or user experience may not need to be detailed in the release notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Too much detail: <\/strong>While it&#8217;s important to provide enough information, excessive detail can overwhelm users. Focus on the most important changes and provide links to more detailed documentation or support resources for those who want to learn more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Internal documentation: <\/strong>Internal documentation links or references should not be part of public release notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inflammatory language:<\/strong> Avoid using inflammatory or negative language when describing issues or updates. Maintain a professional and objective tone in release notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Repetitive content:<\/strong> If a change or update is part of routine maintenance or applies to multiple releases, avoid repeating the same information in every set of release notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>User-specific data: <\/strong>Do not include any user-specific data, such as email addresses, usernames, or personally identifiable information in release notes. This can be a serious breach of privacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unauthorized information:<\/strong> Ensure that the information you are including in release notes does not violate any legal or security regulations, or breach any contracts or agreements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary purpose of release notes is to inform and educate users about what has changed in the software or service.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always try to strike a balance between providing enough detail for users to understand the impact of the changes while keeping the content clear, concise, and relevant to the user&#8217;s perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#f8fafc;line-height:1.6\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5433\" style=\"width:151px;height:28px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png 946w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-300x57.png 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-768x146.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b2eccd6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#202642;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><strong>Free Release Notes: Quick Setup, Easy To Use, Many Integrations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#667d9f\">Get release notes set up for your brand in less than 30 minutes. Simple, easy, and automated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" style=\"background-color:#3778ff\">TRY IT FOR FREE NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#3778ff;font-size:15px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=saas-development-process\">Go to Website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-and-templates-5\">Not-So-Great Release Notes Examples: 5 Sources That Require Improvement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1: Facebook<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent release note issued by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a> seems to lack detail about what was changed and why. While users may not prefer a novel\u2019s worth of notes, it would have been helpful to understand what types of crashes were experienced and what features weren\u2019t loading quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"922\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/facebook_mobile.jpeg\" alt=\"product release notes\" class=\"wp-image-4167\" style=\"width:341px;height:525px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/facebook_mobile.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/facebook_mobile-195x300.jpeg 195w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sadly, this release note example appears to have been written by someone who either didn\u2019t have the information needed to provide comprehensive update notes or someone who simply didn\u2019t care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe next time, Facebook will put a little more effort and creativity into their release notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2: Twitter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>We don\u2019t know about you, but when the rumors that Elon Musk had purchased <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a> were confirmed, we got excited. The possibilities seemed endless as to what Musk could do to improve the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Twitter (now known as \u201cX\u201d), quickly became the butt of many jokes, and their release notes don\u2019t offer any redemption.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"637\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tw_product_release_notes-1-1024x637.jpg\" alt=\"product updates notes\" class=\"wp-image-4141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tw_product_release_notes-1-1024x637.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tw_product_release_notes-1-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tw_product_release_notes-1-768x478.jpg 768w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tw_product_release_notes-1.jpg 1486w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Twitter divided updates into three groups: New, updated, and fixed. Also, you can pick a specific year and month when searching for updates.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/app_store-4-1024x1024.gif\" alt=\"product release notes\n\" class=\"wp-image-4152\" style=\"width:415px;height:415px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/app_store-4-1024x1024.gif 1024w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/app_store-4-300x300.gif 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/app_store-4-768x768.gif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Twitter uses a chronologically ordered page for product release notes, which is fun, but they read more like a magazine and less like a social media platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The language is quite formal, making it less likely for the average user to read through the notes and fully appreciate the updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3: Tumblr<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>While we appreciate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tumblr\u2019s<\/a> above-mentioned work, we believe they have some room for improvement<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at the examples below. The one on the left plays on the very popular sitcom series, Friends, with each of the updates written as a synopsis. Super fun, right?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now take a look at the one on the right and you\u2019ll see a single sentence that indicates bug fixes and performance improvements but doesn\u2019t provide any detail. Not only that, it\u2019s not nearly as fun to read!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"827\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_mobile-1024x827.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\" class=\"wp-image-4165\" style=\"width:615px;height:497px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_mobile-1024x827.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_mobile-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_mobile-768x620.jpg 768w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tumblr_mobile.jpg 1143w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re really hoping that Tumblr brings some of that creativity back into their release notes. \ud83e\udd38\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4: Instagram<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Many apps are just like empires. They are born, they grow, and they eventually die. When an app is first created, it attracts people\u2019s attention. To keep that attention, the app must continue to make updates and improve user experience. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> is no different.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With over 2 billion users, Instagram will do everything in its power to maintain its popularity, including the development of new features. Remember when they made it possible to watch the concerts of our favorite musicians during the pandemic? These are the types of updates that keep users coming back!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The problem isn\u2019t in the features they add, it\u2019s in how they share it in their release notes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/insta.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\n\" class=\"wp-image-4171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/insta.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/insta-300x62.jpg 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/insta-768x158.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The language used in the above release notes example is far too technical for the average person to understand, let alone want to read.<strong> They\u2019d be much better off if they chose to use language that\u2019s accessible to all of their users.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"569\" height=\"920\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/insta_mobile.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\n\" class=\"wp-image-4173\" style=\"width:288px;height:466px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/insta_mobile.jpg 569w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/insta_mobile-186x300.jpg 186w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, some companies get so big that they no longer consider release notes to be an important detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#5: Amazon<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Our final example of poor release notes examples comes from the world\u2019s biggest e-commerce company; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrary to popular belief, Amazon is not just a collection of stores where you can buy things, it is also a large technology company.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"520\" height=\"834\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/amazon_mobile.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\" class=\"wp-image-4177\" style=\"width:282px;height:452px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/amazon_mobile.jpg 520w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/amazon_mobile-187x300.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, we see another example of a large company that doesn\u2019t think it\u2019s necessary to inform its users about the specifics of updates and improvements made.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people like to know how an update or improvement will change their overall experience, not just that updates and improvements are being made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-5\">Example Release Notes \u201cTemplate\u201d: Follow These 9 Tips &amp; Strategies for Writing Epic Release Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of information in release notes can be templated into an understandable form. So, the next time a developer sends you notes about a fixed bug or a new feature, it should be easy to write an excellent release note that your customers will appreciate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No more worrying about comments from developers that don\u2019t make any sense. Instead, you\u2019ll have a deeper understanding of exactly what has changed and how to communicate it to your end-users better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is our list of tips and tricks for creating a release note template to simplify the entire process for you and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-they-we\">#1: They &gt; We<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t start your release notes with a \u201cWe\u2019ve done this!\u201d introduction. Users don\u2019t care what YOU did, they care only how THEY benefit from what you\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, you can start by letting your users know what they can do differently by starting with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cYou can now [perform this action].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OR:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe newly released [X feature] is available for your usage. Now, you\u2019ll be able to [perform this action].\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>#2: Focus on User<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use \u201cYOU\u201d more often. It is a copywriting trick that instantly transforms the way the textual information is perceived. Users are subconsciously more likely to read the text when they see \u201cyou\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cGreat news for you! [X feature] lets you collect feedback from your users.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cHappy to announce [X feature]\u00a0 which helps you to avoid data loss.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cSave your time with [X feature]\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-follow-simple-release-notes-templates\"><strong>#3: Follow Simple Product Release Notes Templates<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Get inspired and write your own product release notes templates. Software product release notes templates are a great way to save time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Create those templates and ask your developers to write your notes in this format only. This way you\u2019ll avoid misunderstanding, and you will know exactly what was changed, how it works, and what goals it accomplishes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>These four release notes templates alone cover 90% of all release notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Previously X is now Y.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can now do X instead of Y.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>X no longer does X, Y when Z, Q, W.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>X no longer does Y. This means you no longer need to do Z<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-avoid-being-too-formal\">#4: Avoid Being Too Formal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This depends on your company\u2019s branding, of course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if it can be avoided, you should. Formal writing is usually long and not straight to the point \u2014 making it harder for readers to scan the text and find what they need.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try to use consistent language that can be universally recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-expand-then-simplify\">#5: Use Humor When Appropriate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We were able to see from some of our earlier release notes examples of how humor can really add an interesting element to what may otherwise come off as boring text.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using fun language can set your release notes apart from other companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Is it necessary?&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No, but when given the chance to stand out among your competitors, why wouldn\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We saw how the Slack and Tumblr release notes examples hit the nail on the head with their humorous approach to updates and improvement, and let\u2019s face it, pretty much everyone appreciates a little humor in their day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-expand-then-simplify\">#6: Expand Then Simplify<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Good release notes should be short and concise. However, you should always make sure that it reflects everything a new feature or a bug fix is all about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since writing a quality release note requires condensing a lot of information down, you also want to make sure that the information you are providing isn\u2019t taken out of context. Be sure to read all of the developer&#8217;s notes to fully understand the update or fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-expand-then-simplify\">#7: Have a Style Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most companies have a style guide that clearly outlines the voice of both the company and the client. This is an essential step in creating release notes that will be understood and well-received by your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While we appreciate the in-app release notes examples that are hilarious and entertaining to read, the tone of voice is not suitable for the majority of tech companies. This is why a style guide really comes in handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-expand-then-simplify\">8: Know Where To Place Your Product Release Notes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not every software product has a mobile version, and most companies publish their release notes on a separate page under the support or help section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies bury their release notes on their website and then complain about why nobody reads them. <strong>Instead, they just need to learn where to place these updates.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many smart ways to announce product updates. For example, you could write a great email introducing product updates or create a separate blog post specifically for the release notes and updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-expand-then-simplify\">#9: Use Segmentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing that all good product release notes have in common is segmentation. This stood out to us on the release notes examples that made a good impression.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>When companies use segmentation to categorize their release notes, they\u2019re making it easy for their users to find what they\u2019re looking for.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-6\">AnnounceKit and the Segmentation Feature:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you own a company with thousands of users. How effective would it be to send the same announcements to all users? Doing this will most likely cause some of your users to distance themselves from your brand, as they\u2019ll likely view it as spammy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sending announcements or product updates to relevant groups is critical for product adoption and understanding of updates<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s examine how AnnounceKit does the segmentation in two examples:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"product release notes\n\" class=\"wp-image-4182\" style=\"width:384px;height:384px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">AnnounceKit offers different options and provides the opportunity to share your announcements with the right group.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Add Rules:<\/strong> First of all, you can set various criteria for the announcement you want to send.&nbsp;<br><br>For example, you are a multinational company and you have a new announcement for your France operation. Why would your employees in America see this announcement?&nbsp;<br><br>By segmenting by country, you can share your announcement only with your employees in France.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation_2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4184\" style=\"width:411px;height:411px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation_2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation_2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation_2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/announcekit_segmentation_2.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Choosing segment: <\/strong>Let\u2019s say you have three different membership types and you have made an improvement for your premium users who pay the highest membership fee. You can only send your announcement about this update to the relevant people. We call it the magic touch of segmentation! \ud83e\uddd9\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"release-note-examples-and-templates-7\">AnnounceKit: The Announcement App for Product Updates &amp; Software Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like in anything in life, by bringing structure and organization as well as modern technologies, we can create an easier solution that is more exciting and useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re tired of traditional, boring product release notes that hardly get noticed, it\u2019s time to bring excitement and clarity to your release notes with AnnounceKit! \ud83d\ude80&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>With AnnounceKit, you can organize your product and software updates under relevant headings, add a touch of humor and fun, and engage your users like never before.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Say goodbye to unnoticed updates and hello to increased product adoption! Let\u2019s make sure your users understand and appreciate all the hard work you put into those updates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Start using AnnounceKit today and deliver your updates in the best way possible!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\">Register<\/a> to begin your free trial today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#f8fafc;line-height:1.6\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5433\" style=\"width:151px;height:28px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo.png 946w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-300x57.png 300w, https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-768x146.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b2eccd6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#202642;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><strong>Free Release Notes: Quick Setup, Easy To Use, Many Integrations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#667d9f\">Get release notes set up for your brand in less than 30 minutes. Simple, easy, and automated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" style=\"background-color:#3778ff\">TRY IT FOR FREE NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#3778ff;font-size:15px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/dashboard\/register\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=release-note-examples-version-2\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=saas-development-process\">Go to Website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How do big companies make product updates and keep their users updated?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":6358,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4128"}],"version-history":[{"count":73,"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7017,"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4128\/revisions\/7017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/announcekit.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}