diff --git a/doc/source/development/contributing.rst b/doc/source/development/contributing.rst
index be6555b2ab936..21fb1baf7db34 100644
--- a/doc/source/development/contributing.rst
+++ b/doc/source/development/contributing.rst
@@ -135,9 +135,44 @@ operations. To install pandas from source, you need to compile these C
 extensions, which means you need a C compiler. This process depends on which
 platform you're using.
 
-* Windows: https://devguide.python.org/setup/#windows-compiling
-* Mac: https://devguide.python.org/setup/#macos
-* Unix: https://devguide.python.org/setup/#unix-compiling
+**Windows**
+
+You will need `Build Tools for Visual Studio 2017
+<https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/>`_.
+
+.. warning::
+	You DO NOT need to install Visual Studio 2019.
+	You only need "Build Tools for Visual Studio 2019" found by
+	scrolling down to "All downloads" -> "Tools for Visual Studio 2019".
+
+**Mac OS**
+
+Information about compiler installation can be found here:
+https://devguide.python.org/setup/#macos
+
+**Unix**
+
+Some Linux distributions will come with a pre-installed C compiler. To find out
+which compilers (and versions) are installed on your system::
+
+    # for Debian/Ubuntu:
+    dpkg --list | grep compiler
+    # for Red Hat/RHEL/CentOS/Fedora:
+    yum list installed | grep -i --color compiler
+
+`GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) <https://gcc.gnu.org/>`_, is a widely used
+compiler, which supports C and a number of other languages. If GCC is listed
+as an installed compiler nothing more is required. If no C compiler is
+installed (or you wish to install a newer version) you can install a compiler
+(GCC in the example code below) with::
+
+    # for recent Debian/Ubuntu:
+    sudo apt install build-essential
+    # for Red Had/RHEL/CentOS/Fedora
+    yum groupinstall "Development Tools"
+
+For other Linux distributions, consult your favourite search engine for
+commpiler installation instructions.
 
 Let us know if you have any difficulties by opening an issue or reaching out on
 `Gitter`_.