diff --git a/web3.js/CONTRIBUTING.md b/web3.js/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 583fba913..f703fb7e8 100644
--- a/web3.js/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/web3.js/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -3,18 +3,29 @@
 
 As a contributor, here are the guidelines we would like you to follow:
 * Ensure `npm run ok` passes before submitting a Pull Request
-* Please follow semantic-release [commit message guidelines](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release/blob/caribou/CONTRIBUTING.md#commit-message-guidelines)
+* Features and bug fixes should be covered by new test cases
+* Commits follow the [Angular commit convention](https://github.com/angular/angular.js/blob/master/DEVELOPERS.md#-git-commit-guidelines)
 
-# Reference
+## Creating releases
 
-## Static Analysis
+We use [semantic-release](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release)
+to release new versions automatically from the `master` branch:
+*  Commits of type `fix` will trigger bugfix releases, think `0.0.1`
+*  Commits of type `feat` will trigger feature releases, think `0.1.0`
+*  Commits with `BREAKING CHANGE` in body or footer will trigger breaking releases, think `1.0.0`
+
+All other commit types will trigger no new release.
+
+## Reference
+
+### Static Analysis
 eslint and flow-type are used.
 
 Helpful link: https://www.saltycrane.com/flow-type-cheat-sheet/latest/
 
-## Testing Framework
+### Testing Framework
 https://jestjs.io/
 
-## API Documentation
+### API Documentation
 ESDoc is used to document the public API.  See
 https://esdoc.org/manual/tags.html for details.