Key Takeaways
- Clarity and visuals are the foundation of a great changelog.
- A scannable format ensures users absorb key updates quickly.
- Distribution and engagement features maximize visibility and interaction.
- Tools like SimpleDirect make it easy to replicate Linear’s success.
Why Linear's Changelog is the Gold Standard
Linear, a project management tool loved by product teams globally, has turned its changelog into a growth engine.
While most SaaS changelogs are ignored, Linear’s updates consistently achieve 10x more engagement than the industry average.
How? They’ve transformed their changelog into a user-focused, visually engaging, and shareable resource.
In this article, we’ll break down:
- What makes Linear’s changelog exceptional.
- The 5 principles behind its success.
- How to apply these principles to your product using actionable steps, tools, and templates.
Fun Fact: Over 60% of Linear’s users interact with their changelog every month, compared to the average of 10-15% for SaaS products.
What Makes Linear's Changelog Stand Out?
Linear’s changelog goes beyond just listing updates. Here’s why it works:
- Clean Visual Hierarchy
Linear’s changelog is designed for scannability and clarity.
- Headlines are bold and concise, summarizing each update.
- GIFs, icons, and screenshots bring updates to life.
- Consistent sections (e.g., "What's New," "Improvements") make it easy to navigate.
Stat: Visual content increases user retention by 65% compared to text-only updates.
- Human-Centric Writing Style
Linear uses relatable, benefit-driven language rather than jargon.
- Instead of: “Enhanced performance for dashboard loading times,”
- They write: “Your dashboard now loads 2x faster, so you can focus on what matters.”
This approach shows empathy and keeps users engaged.
- Proactive Distribution
Linear actively ensures users see their changelog by leveraging:
- In-app notifications that highlight updates at login.
- Weekly emails summarizing new features with links to details.
- Social media posts featuring engaging visuals (e.g., GIFs of features in action).
Stat: SaaS companies that send update emails see 40-50% higher feature adoption.
- Interactive and Engaging
Linear doesn’t rely on passive reading. They include:
- Reactions and comments to get user feedback.
- Links to related help docs or roadmaps for context.
- Real-world use cases to inspire users.
The 5 Principles Behind Linear’s Success
What can you learn from Linear’s approach? These five principles can elevate your changelog:
- Clarity Over Completeness
Don’t overwhelm users with every bug fix or backend tweak. Highlight updates that matter most.
- Do: Focus on user-facing changes (e.g., new features, improved workflows).
- Don’t: List every small backend improvement.
Example: Linear highlights updates users care about, like “Faster navigation” or “New integrations.”
- Show, Don’t Tell
Visuals make updates easier to understand and more engaging.
- Use GIFs to demonstrate new features.
- Add screenshots to show before-and-after comparisons.
- Include icons or badges to emphasize key changes.
Stat: Tweets with visuals get 150% more retweets, and the same applies to changelog content.
- Make It Scannable
Users skim changelogs, so structure is key.
- Add headings for each update type (e.g., “New Features,” “Fixes”).
- Break text into short paragraphs or bullet points.
- Highlight keywords in bold or color.
Tip: Use a format like:
- What’s New: A brief summary of the update.
- Why It Matters: The benefit to the user.
- How to Use It: A quick guide or link to documentation.
- Make It Shareable
Your changelog can double as a marketing tool.
- Write punchy headlines that are social media-friendly.
- Include visuals that look great on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn.
- Link to your changelog in newsletters, blogs, and product emails.
Example: Linear shares short GIFs of new features on Twitter, driving traffic to their changelog.
- Accessibility for All Users
Ensure your changelog reaches and resonates with all users.
- Make it mobile-friendly for on-the-go access.
- Add alt text to images for screen readers.
- Distribute updates via multiple channels (email, in-app, social media).
Stat: Companies that provide multi-channel updates see 2x higher engagement rates.
How to Apply Linear’s Changelog Principles to Your Product
Here’s how you can implement a Linear-quality changelog:
- Audit Your Current Changelog
Ask yourself:
- Is it easy to read and find?
- Are the updates clear and relevant?
- Are visuals used effectively?
- Use a Consistent Template
Design a reusable changelog format:
- Headline: What’s the update?
- Visual: Add a GIF, screenshot, or icon.
- Summary: Why does it matter?
- CTA: Link to documentation, features, or roadmaps.
- Leverage Tools for Efficiency
Save time with changelog tools like SimpleDirect, which provides:
- Pre-designed templates for clarity and engagement.
- Visual integration for seamless GIFs, images, and videos.
- Automated notifications for in-app banners, email updates, and more.
- Analytics to track which updates drive the most engagement.
- Distribute Smartly
Reach users where they are:
- In-app notifications for immediate visibility.
- Email updates for weekly summaries.
- Social media for broader reach.
- Track and Improve
Use metrics to refine your strategy:
- Engagement Rate: % of users who view the changelog.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): % of users who interact with links.
- Adoption Metrics: Are users actually using the new feature?
Quick Comparison: Linear vs. Average SaaS Changelog
| Feature | Linear | Average SaaS Changelog |
|---|---|---|
| Visuals | GIFs, screenshots, icons | Text-heavy |
| Writing Style | Relatable, benefit-driven | Technical, jargon-filled |
| Distribution | In-app, email, social | Buried on website |
| Engagement Features | Comments, reactions | None |
| Shareability | Social-ready | Static and unshareable |
Next Steps
Ready to create changelogs that users actually read?
- Read: How to Write Changelogs Users Actually Read.
- Try SimpleDirect: Build a Linear-quality changelog in minutes with our templates.
CTA: Start your free trial today and turn your changelog into a growth engine.
By following Linear’s strategy, you can increase feature adoption, build user trust, and make your product updates an integral part of your customer experience.
