diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_plugin_issue.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_plugin_issue.yml
index 6751fe92..959de583 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_plugin_issue.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_plugin_issue.yml
@@ -37,10 +37,13 @@ body:
     attributes:
       label: Streamlink version
       description: |
-        [Only the **latest stable release** or **latest build from the master branch** will be accepted.](https://streamlink.github.io/install.html)
-        Run [`streamlink --version`](https://streamlink.github.io/cli.html#cmdoption-version) and check the [list of recent releases.](https://streamlink.github.io/changelog.html)
+        [Only the **latest stable release or newer** will be accepted!](https://streamlink.github.io/install.html)
+
+        Post the **exact output** of [`streamlink --no-config --version`](https://streamlink.github.io/cli.html#cmdoption-version).
         Issues without a valid version string will be closed and ignored immediately.
 
+        Before you continue, check the [list of recent releases](https://streamlink.github.io/changelog.html) or run `streamlink --no-config --version-check`.
+
         The mandatory debug log down below still needs to include the explicit version string.
     validations:
       required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_bug_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_bug_report.yml
index ca29ce9a..4dd44bca 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_bug_report.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_bug_report.yml
@@ -40,10 +40,13 @@ body:
     attributes:
       label: Streamlink version
       description: |
-        [Only the **latest stable release** or **latest build from the master branch** will be accepted.](https://streamlink.github.io/install.html)
-        Run [`streamlink --version`](https://streamlink.github.io/cli.html#cmdoption-version) and check the [list of recent releases.](https://streamlink.github.io/changelog.html)
+        [Only the **latest stable release or newer** will be accepted!](https://streamlink.github.io/install.html)
+
+        Post the **exact output** of [`streamlink --no-config --version`](https://streamlink.github.io/cli.html#cmdoption-version).
         Issues without a valid version string will be closed and ignored immediately.
 
+        Before you continue, check the [list of recent releases](https://streamlink.github.io/changelog.html) or run `streamlink --no-config --version-check`.
+
         The mandatory debug log down below still needs to include the explicit version string.
     validations:
       required: true