I think this is why they specifically call out ABI changes. A major release is one that changes the ABI/API - i.e. the C function definitions have changed and y

I think this is why they specifically call out ABI changes. A major release is one that changes the ABI/API - i.e. the C function definitions have changed and you are forced to recompile. A bugfix that breaks someone's workflow but does not change the ABI is not a major release.