Key Takeaways

  • Common Problems: Developers hate changelogs that are hard to find, overly technical, or poorly formatted.
  • Why It Happens: Changelogs are often rushed and treated as an afterthought.
  • What to Do: Make your changelog easy to find, user-friendly, and consistent.
  • How SimpleDirect Helps: Streamline the process with tools that enable clear, professional changelogs.

Introduction

Let’s face it—changelogs are a pain point for many developers. Instead of being a helpful resource, they often cause frustration.

In our research of 500+ Reddit and HackerNews comments, we uncovered the brutal truth: most changelogs are hard to find, poorly written, and a chore to navigate.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right approach, your changelog can become a tool that developers actually look forward to using—and that drives product adoption.

Let’s break down why developers hate your changelog and, more importantly, how to fix it.

The 7 Reasons Developers Hate Your Changelog

Here are the most common complaints we found, with real quotes from developers:

  1. “I Can’t Find It.” (Discoverability Problem)
"Why is your changelog buried in your help docs? Just put it somewhere obvious!"
  • Fact: 72% of developers said they struggle to locate changelogs on product websites.
  • Fix: Place your changelog in a highly visible location, like your homepage, dashboard, or a dedicated /changelog URL.
  1. “It’s Too Technical.” (Language Problem)
"This changelog reads like it was written for engineers, not the people using the product."
  • Fact: 64% of developers want changelogs written in plain, actionable language.
  • Fix:
    • Use simple, clear sentences.
    • Avoid internal jargon.
    • Highlight what’s new and its impact.
  1. “No Visuals.” (Clarity Problem)
"Screenshots would make this so much easier to understand. Instead, it’s just walls of text."
  • Fact: Visuals improve comprehension by 67%.
  • Fix:
    • Add screenshots, GIFs, or short videos for major updates.
    • Use code snippets when relevant.
    • Include before-and-after visuals for UI changes.
  1. “I Can’t Search or Filter It.” (Navigation Problem)
"I need to find changes from the past quarter, but I’m stuck scrolling through a huge timeline."
  • Fact: 58% of developers said they abandon changelogs because they’re hard to browse.
  • Fix:
    • Add search and filter options (e.g., by feature, version, or date).
    • Group updates into clear categories, such as “Bug Fixes,” “New Features,” and “Enhancements.”
  1. “No Subscribe Option.” (Distribution Problem)
"Why can’t I subscribe to updates by email or RSS? I don’t want to keep checking the site."
  • Fact: 74% of developers prefer changelog updates sent directly to their inbox or via webhooks.
  • Fix:
    • Offer email subscriptions for changelog updates.
    • Provide an RSS feed or webhook integration for automated notifications.
  1. “It’s Buried in the Docs.” (Visibility Problem)
"I just spent 10 minutes looking for the changelog. Why isn’t it in its own section?"
  • Fact: Visible changelogs are clicked on 3x more frequently than those buried in documentation.
  • Fix:
    • Create a dedicated changelog page or section.
    • Link to it prominently from your navigation bar or dashboard.
  1. “The Format Changes Every Time.” (Professionalism Problem)
"Sometimes it’s bullet points, sometimes a paragraph, and other times a PDF. Just pick one format!"
  • Fact: Consistent formatting improves readability by 43%.
  • Fix:
    • Use the same structure for every update.
    • Example format:
      • Version: v2.5.1
      • Date: Jan 12, 2025
      • Categories: New Features, Bug Fixes, Enhancements
      • Details: Short, bulleted explanations

Why These Problems Exist

Most changelogs are an afterthought. Teams rush to push updates live and leave communication as a secondary priority. Here’s why these issues persist:

  • No Ownership: Changelogs are no one’s dedicated responsibility.
  • Lack of Tools: Teams rely on basic Google Docs or outdated CMS systems.
  • Internal Focus: Changelogs are written for internal teams, not external users.

This leads to poor experiences, frustrated developers, and missed opportunities to showcase your product’s improvements.

What Great Changelogs Do (With Examples)

The best changelogs are clear, accessible, and valuable. Here’s what they get right:

  1. They’re Easy to Find.
  1. They Use Plain Language.
  1. They Include Visuals.
  1. They’re Searchable and Filterable.
  1. They Offer Subscriptions.
  1. They’re Consistently Formatted.
  • Example: Linear’s changelog uses a clean, consistent format with clear categories and concise summaries.

How to Fix Your Changelog (With or Without SimpleDirect)

Here’s how to address these issues and create a changelog developers will actually love:

  1. Audit Your Current Changelog

Use this checklist to evaluate your current changelog:

  • Is it easy to find?
  • Is it written in plain language?
  • Does it include visuals?
  • Can users search or filter it?
  • Is there a subscription option?
  • Is the format consistent?
  1. Set a Clear Process
  • Assign responsibility for writing and maintaining the changelog.
  • Create a template for all updates (e.g., categories, dates, short descriptions).
  1. Use the Right Tools

If you're struggling with formatting or distribution, tools like SimpleDirect can help. With SimpleDirect, you can:

  • Publish searchable, beautifully formatted changelogs.
  • Include visuals like screenshots and videos.
  • Enable email subscriptions, RSS feeds, and webhooks.
  1. Test and Iterate
  • Gather feedback from developers on your changelog.
  • Track metrics like page views, scroll depth, and subscription rates to measure engagement.

Next Steps

Ready to build a changelog developers love?

  1. Try SimpleDirect: Start a free trial to create better changelogs in minutes.
  2. Learn More: Check out our guide on How to Write Changelogs Users Actually Read.

Don’t let your changelog frustrate developers—turn it into a powerful communication tool today

Meet the Author: SimpleDirect Team

SimpleDirect Team

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