Release notes guide · 4 min read

Ahrefs Release Notes: Examples and Review

Review at a glance

Based on a book Release Notes People Actually Want to Read.

Ahrefs, a leading Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tool, offers a masterclass in crafting educational product updates. Their approach to release notes goes beyond announcing new features and instead focuses on teaching users how to derive value from their toolset. Learn more about the art of the Jobs-to-be-Done approach with release notes.

What Ahrefs does well

Educate users on achieving results

Ahrefs showcases how users can leverage their tool to drive more search traffic. Each update provides straightforward, actionable guidance on using specific features to unlock untapped potential. This approach helps users understand the tool’s practical application, making the updates more valuable and engaging.

For example, they released a new backlink filter option and immediately they explained its use case with some eCommerce SEO tasks on promoting wireless earphones in their video review.

A screenshot for the January 2024 video recap.

Emphasize use cases over features

Rather than solely focusing on new features, Ahrefs frequently emphasizes new use cases and strategies, even those involving existing functionality. They offer further educational resources for featured updates, allowing you to gain a comprehensive understanding easily.

Useful links from a video description in a February update.

Invest in multimedia content

Ahrefs enhances its release notes with videos, screenshots, and comprehensive explanations, making the content more engaging and digestible. In the January 2024 update, they included four significant features and a list of minor improvements, all introduced with a 4-minute video recap.

In the January update, they begin with a video, followed by detailed text, screenshots, and GIFs explaining new product use cases.

And they have a dedicated YouTube channel only for thair product updates.

Reliable delivery

Ahrefs maintains a consistent update schedule, with weekly use case updates and monthly recaps. They provide enough space at the start screen of every account with an explainable picture and a short recap of the main ideas.

Half of the start screen was allocated to a feature from the previous update.

That example with “Mobile usability issues” is a part of a big March 2024 update. Ahrefs not just announce once an update, they repeatedly highlight it’s different parts for a month to increase chances of educating users a new useful tools.

Areas for improvement

In our opinion, what could make Ahrefs’ release notes much better.

Enhance user feedback and engagement

While Ahrefs has a feedback board, it’s not easily accessible within the product. Incorporating user comments, reactions, or forums directly into the release notes could foster community and provide valuable insights for future updates.

Implement personalization and segmentation

Ahrefs’ updates are currently not personalized or segmented based on user preferences or needs. If Ahrefs allowed users to customize their update feed or segment updates based on roles or interests, they could deliver even more targeted and relevant content. Additionally, tagging their updates could improve navigation through their vast amount of useful content.

Improve navigation and archive management

As Ahrefs’ release notes archive grows, finding specific updates or tracking changes to particular components becomes increasingly challenging. A more intuitive navigation system, such as categorization or tagging, could help users quickly locate the necessary information.

Conclusion

The release notes from Ahrefs offer a significant lesson in prioritizing user education and providing actionable insights. They set a high standard for communicating product updates by focusing on use cases, catering to various user segments, and investing in multimedia content. Ahrefs’ dedication to empowering users through educational content continues to be a major strength.