diff --git a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 2cc4bc4c14..303ce4d8aa 100644
--- a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -33,11 +33,10 @@ We have a handful of simple standards for commit messages which help us to gener
 
 - **1st line:** Max 80 character summary written in past tense
 - **2nd line:** [Always blank]
-- **3rd line:** `refs/closes #000` or `no issue`
+- **3rd line:** `refs <issue link>`, `fixes <issue link>` or `no issue`
 - **4th line:** Why this change was made - the code includes the what, the commit message should describe the context of why - why this, why now, why not something else?
 
-If your change is **user-facing** please prepend the first line of your commit with **an emoji key**.
-We are following [gitmoji](https://gitmoji.carloscuesta.me/).
+If your change is **user-facing** please prepend the first line of your commit with **an emoji key**. If the commit is for an alpha feature, no emoji is needed. We are following [gitmoji](https://gitmoji.carloscuesta.me/).
 
 **Main emojis we are using:**