RootsChat.Com
General => Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing => Topic started by: whoamitoday on Thursday 21 December 23 08:39 GMT (UK)
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Just a heads up that Ancestry will be making changes soon requiring a subscription in order to view shared DNA matches.
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On there website there is….
*Some DNA features may require an Ancestry subscription
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Awesome news! Now there will be even more potential cousins not bothering to investigate their ancestry beyond what the DNA test states. What a great move by Ancestry. I'm sure it won't be negative at all.
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That has got to impact on the generally accepted advice to test with Ancestry first. Bound to drive people towards the other sites so less new matches.
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That has got to impact on the generally accepted advice to test with Ancestry first. Bound to drive people towards the other sites so less new matches.
The test with Ancestry advice that I give is to fellow researchers into Family History, it is to the very people who are actively researching their family lines.
If Joe Public wants to know their Ethnicity and Health Traits then other testing companies offer far better VFM than Ancestry. The fact that Ancestry ‘s Ethnicity results will be different to those of My Heritage is irrelevant as the DNA tester is only interested in the aspects that I quote. Ethnicity known, job done, time to park it and get on with other activities.
As it is with Ancestry the vast majority of those submitting a DNA sample seem to be not interested in taking the results further.
Ancestry seems to be positioning itself to attract those who just want Ethnicity results and the past availability of viewing Matches is a lost revenue stream to them.
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I see this as part of the ongoing fallout from the 23&Me data breach and other platforms' processes to protect their users. Unfortunately it is going to have a negative impact to some extent, but Ancestry probably feel this is necessary to protect their user data and also to protect themselves from possible future litigation. It's the world we live in :(
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I’m probably alone, but I haven’t been too impressed with Ancestry so far, and these sorts of limitations/restrictions don’t help.
I expect it is a money grab to compel anyone with even a small interest in their DNA to take up a subscription. I’m not sure it will work, as their incessant advertising seems to solely push the ethnicity component, so lack of interest or replies to messages probably shouldn’t be a surprise.
People who only want to know their “ethnicity” won’t be interested in a subscription.
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I see this as part of the ongoing fallout from the 23&Me data breach and other platforms' processes to protect their users.
Interesting point, Phil57. I had not thought of that as a possible reason. If that is their objective then it is a own goal. How many are going to test with Ancestry when the other companies offer a DNA subscription either free or at a nominal sum? A change in their T&C would prevent any litigation concerns.
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Maybe Ancestry's owners, the Blackstone Group, think they could increase their revenues. I've avoided having an Ancestry sub but it will make tracing DNA contacts difficult if trees and common ancestors need a sub. And what about Thrulines?
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I have a sub - world wide one and paid by direct debit.
Cannot access the site via the link on the computer,
I have to do the two step verification which is painful as the phone can't always pick up their message with the code.
I also am being asked to upgrade my membership, what for???
I don't need all this extra rubbish of ethnicity etc. fills up a page which Ii cannot down load easily.
Country area in Australia no NBN. UGH >:(
Essnell.
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That change basically renders the Ancestry DNA test useless without a subscription. For anyone with more than a desire to see their ethnicity estimates the MyHeritage test is much better value. Hopefully they won't go on a similar grifting exercise. For existing tests the upload to MyHeritage and the unlock fee to use their tools would easily be more valuable than what Ancestry are putting on the table. Nice way for Ancestry to shoot themselves in the foot. Also, some people get interested in their tree when they can see who matches who. This basically slaps those people down. I've recommended Ancestry DNA tests to people in the past. That was obviously a mistake I won't make again.
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Further to my reply @ #6 where I mentioned that Ancestry were solely promoting the ethnicity aspect of the DNA test …. Last night (on commercial TV) I saw a new ad which didn’t focus on the ethnicity, but rather “building” your tree. (they have had these ads in the past for the subscription bit this was for the DNA test).
You would like to think that they will be transparent and add “Subscription required to see DNA matches” or whatever limitations they introduce, in their marketing spiel to make it very clear before purchase. It’s too late for others who have already tested or purchased a test as a Christmas gift.
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Things seem to be changing on my Ancestry feed…
This is usually an indication that changes are afoot!
Romilly.
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Things seem to be changing on my Ancestry feed…
This is usually an indication that changes are afoot!
Romilly.
What on earth is “My Ancestry Feed BETA” all about? Mine is full of irrelvant rubbish I don’t want. Numerous people I have never heard of and their “community trees”? What? A quiz to guess how many children one of the ancestors, unrelated to me, but in the tree of one of my contacts’ trees has? Why send this to me? What is this for? All fluff, nonsense and distracts from relevant family history.
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I wish Ancestry would require anyone who wants to use 'bonus features', e.g. shared matches, for free to have a linked tree with more than 3 non-private ancestors!
Kathryn :)
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I keep getting’New Features’ popping up on Ancestry.
I’m assuming that the fees that they mention are in addition to having Subs?
This is one:
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Romilly, I wonder if they are introducing subs to give access to specific features …. I may be imagining it, but this sort of rings a bell - I’m wondering if it has been mooted in the past?
So if you want to see matches, it will cost $/£X, if you want to see other’s trees it will cost $/£x, same for Thrulines … etc etc. They will market it as givng you more choices - only pay for, the features you want etc but in reality it will be a way for them to make more money.
I expect any of this will be on top of the usual annual subscriptions.
Added: I like your idea Kathryn, but I doubt they will offer anything without there being an additional cost involved.
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I don't bother with Ancestry or My Heritage hot matches as they are mainly census and official bmd INDEXES which are only produced once a month and I've probably got the full dates for the birth/baptisms, marriages and deaths
As my ancestors only lived in the UK I don't really appreciate Ancestry informing me that I've got bmd matches in the USA, when I don't have any family there.
"Hello Rena",
We have Hot Matches for you:
Soo in Timbucktoo was born same year as your Sue in Scotland.
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Romilly, I wonder if they are introducing subs to give access to specific features …. I may be imagining it, but this sort of rings a bell - I’m wondering if it has been mooted in the past?
So if you want to see matches, it will cost $/£X, if you want to see other’s trees it will cost $/£x, same for Thrulines … etc etc. They will market it as givng you more choices - only pay for, the features you want etc but in reality it will be a way for them to make more money.
I expect any of this will be on top of the usual annual subscriptions.
Added: I like your idea Kathryn, but I doubt they will offer anything without there being an additional cost involved.
Ruskie,
I expect that you’re right and that these things will be additional add ons…
I’m pretty sure that many of the Records now in Fold 3 used to be available to view as part of the Subs. Likewise, many of the Records on Family Search where you now get redirected to FindMyPast, used to be free to view on Family Search.
It’s all part of getting further charges off people 😔
Romilly.