What Are Software Articles (and Who Writes Them)?

The internet is chock-a-block with technology websites that cover a multitude of software packages for various PC and mobile device operating systems (otherwise platforms). Those websites are packed with different forms of software articles. A software article is simply any piece of writing about a software-related topic. Such articles typically cover consumer software (or apps) users can utilize on Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms.

(Write a How-to Article in 6 Easy Steps.)

Many tech writers specialize in producing platform-specific software articles for websites. Those authors submit articles to the myriad of software websites regularly recruiting freelance tech writers. These are the different types of software articles most tech websites include.

Many tech websites are full of how-to software articles. These are instructional articles that tell users how they can utilize different features in operating systems or other software packages installed on PC and mobile devices. Many such articles provide tips and tricks for using and customizing PC and mobile device operating systems. For example, these are some of my how-to software articles for the Windows 11/10 platforms:

Those articles tell you how users can do things with software. They all include screenshots that illustrate their instructions. Some have annotated screenshots, but much depends on the websites’ requirements.

Troubleshooting guides are articles that provide instructions for fixing technical software issues. Millions of users report software issues on support forums, which these articles include fixes for. They typically cover how users can fix common software error codes or messages. Such technical issues can prevent software packages from starting or affect features in them. These are some examples of troubleshooting guide articles:

Troubleshooting guides are typically step-by-step instructional articles. This is because most resolutions for technical issues need to be applied in exact steps. So, they usually include numbered steps for applying their alternative potential fixes.

Best of software articles recommend the best apps users can utilize on respective platforms. These articles typically include lists of the best software packages users can utilize for specific things. For example, such articles can cover the best word processors, games, emulators, spreadsheet applications, media players, web browsers, and much, much more, like these articles:

However, such articles aren’t necessarily restricted to desktop software you can install. These articles can also cover the best online web apps users utilize in browsers. Software articles about the best extensions for web browsers are also common.

News articles cover all the latest developments within the software industry. These tend to be shorter news pieces about the latest software releases and updates for respective operating systems. Microsoft, Apple, Google, and other big-name publishers frequently update their software packages with new features that news pieces regularly cover. The news articles tell users about notable announcements surrounding big software products from publishers.

Explainer articles are pieces that provide answers to software-related questions. These articles typically have titles that ask questions. They seek to explain software features, unusual apps or processes, or other technical jargon by answering their titles’ questions. Explainer articles can also include some instructions, but they primarily answer software-related questions like these:

You don’t need a PhD in computer science or any other IT qualification to write software articles. It helps to have such qualifications, but they’re not essential. Authors with lots of experience utilizing PCs and mobile devices write software articles. Software writing is quite an accessible niche because many authors need to regularly utilize word processors and web browsers on PCs. If you know your way around a Windows or macOS platform, you can probably be a tech writer.

You can be a tech author by writing any of the various types of software articles discussed above for suitable websites. It’s just a matter of finding somewhere to submit your articles. To do so, look through freelance listings on sites like Indeed, SimplyHired, or Upwork to find tech websites advertising vacancies.