From time to time, we update the way we calculate and present DNA matches. These changes are based on advances in DNA science, extensive user outreach, and community feedback.

In 2020, we added two features that were top customer requests:

• Showing the longest shared DNA segment: The DNA you share with your matches is distributed across segments—short segments, long segments, or some combination of both. The length of the longest segment you and a DNA match have in common can help determine your relationship. Often, sharing fewer, longer segments indicates a closer relationship.
• Updated DNA segments: Our new matching algorithm is more accurate in calculating how many identical segments two people share.

We’ve also removed distant DNA matches (below 8 centimorgans shared) that were frequently inaccurate. Many of these distant matches reflect shared DNA for reasons other than a common ancestor, such as when two people share the same regions or are from the same places. These updates will improve the accuracy of your research by weeding out false data and preventing inaccurate conclusions. Although only .01% of DNA matches below 8cM are viewed by our customers, we do recognize some people find value in these matches. When customers did get value from these distant matches, it usually came from finding other members who had overlapping family trees.

To take advantage of family tree overlaps with other members (with or without a DNA test), we suggest exploring the member tree hints in your family tree. You may find new clues in other members’ trees and discover people who are doing similar research. Contacting these people may unlock even more discoveries.

Finding member tree hints

1. From any page on Ancestry, click the Trees tab and select the tree you want to find hints for.
2. In the top-left corner, click the tree name menu and select All Hints.
3. On the left side of the All Hints page, click Member Trees.
4. To explore a hint, click Review.