Why Every SaaS Product Needs a Public Changelog (And How to Make One)

What Is a Public Changelog?

A public changelog is a running log of updates, bug fixes, and new features in your software. It's typically hosted on a dedicated page (e.g., yourapp.com/changelog) or displayed via an in-app widget. Unlike internal release notes, public changelogs are written for end-users, not developers.

Why Changelogs Matter

1. Build Trust and Transparency

When users see regular updates, they know your product is actively maintained. This is especially important for early-stage startups where trust is fragile. A public changelog signals: "We're listening, we're improving, and we're not going anywhere."

2. Reduce Support Tickets

Many support tickets stem from confusion about features or bugs that were already fixed. A well-maintained changelog helps users self-serve answers. For example, if someone reports a bug you fixed last week, you can point them to the changelog entry.

3. Drive Engagement and Retention

Users who see regular improvements are more likely to stick around. Changelogs create a sense of progress and momentum. Weekly digest emails (like those offered by ChangeDog) keep your product top-of-mind without being spammy.

4. Marketing and SEO

Changelog pages are evergreen content that can rank for long-tail keywords. They also provide material for social media posts, Product Hunt updates, and email campaigns. When you ship a big feature, your changelog becomes a landing page for announcing it.

Best Practices for Writing Changelogs

1. Write for Humans, Not Machines

Avoid technical jargon. Instead of "Refactored authentication middleware to support OAuth2.0," write "Improved sign-in security and performance."

2. Use Clear Categories

Group updates into categories like:

• New: Brand-new features
• Improved: Enhancements to existing features
• Fixed: Bug fixes
• Deprecated: Features being phased out

3. Add Visuals

Screenshots, GIFs, or short videos make changelogs more engaging. They also help users understand complex changes at a glance. ChangeDog supports up to 5 images or 1 video per changelog entry.

4. Keep It Consistent

Publish updates regularly—whether that's weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Consistency builds habit-forming behavior. Users will start checking your changelog proactively.

5. Link to Feedback

When you ship a feature that was requested by users, link back to the original feedback item. This shows users that their input matters and encourages more participation.

How ChangeDog Helps

ChangeDog automates the heavy lifting of changelog management:

• AI-Powered Drafts: GPT-4 reads your commits and generates human-friendly summaries
• Custom Subdomains: Host your changelog at yourapp.changedog.top or use a custom domain
• Embeddable Widget: Show updates directly in your app without redirecting users
• Weekly Digests: Automatically email subscribers with a TL;DR of the week's updates
• Feedback Integration: Close the loop by linking shipped features to user requests

Examples of Great Public Changelogs

Here are a few SaaS products with excellent public changelogs:

• Linear: Clean, emoji-rich, and categorized by impact
• Notion: Monthly updates with detailed visuals and context
• Stripe: Technical but clear, with API version tracking
• Vercel: Frequent updates with performance metrics

Study these examples to see what resonates with your audience.

Ready to Start?

Creating a public changelog doesn't have to be time-consuming. With ChangeDog, you can set up automated changelogs in minutes. Connect your GitHub repository, review AI-generated drafts, and publish updates with one click.

Sign up for free at changedog.top and start keeping your users informed today.