You can compare your ancestral origins (regions and journeys) and traits with anyone who:

• Has AncestryDNA® results
• Has matches turned on
• Allows DNA comparisons
• Is your DNA match, or has shared their DNA test with you

You can compare DNA results with up to 10 people at a time. To compare with someone who isn’t a match, ask them to share their DNA test with you.

Comparing DNA results

To compare DNA results with others, you and the people you’re comparing with must have matches turned on (even if they’re not one of your matches) and allow comparisons.

From a browser

1. From any Ancestry® page, click the DNA tab and select Compare.
2. Under DNA compare, choose what you want to compare: Regions, Journeys, or Traits. 

From the app (limited to Traits only)

1. Tap DNA in the bottom right corner.
2. Select All traits from the top menu.
3. Tap Compare to view your trait comparison. 

Adding and removing people from DNA compare

When you first use DNA compare, your results will automatically be compared with 2 of your closest matches. You can add up to 10 total people and remove them at any time.

Adding someone

From a browser:

1. Next to the people you’re comparing, click + Add someone.
2. In the opened panel, check the box next to anyone you want to add (up to 10 total).
   • To find someone, search for their name or username.
     • If their test is managed by someone else, search for the manager’s name or username.
   • To compare with someone who isn’t a match, select Invite, enter their email or username, and click Invite to share to send the invitation. Once accepted, they’ll appear under DNA tests shared with you.
3. Click Save to update your comparison. 

You’ll see the regions, journeys, or traits they’ve chosen to share, which could include all their results, only the regions and journeys you have in common, or the traits they can access.

From the app

1. On the Traits Compare page, select Add or remove, then check the box next to anyone you want to add (up to 10 total).
   • To find someone, search by their name or username.
     • If their test is managed by someone else, you can search for the manager’s name or username instead.
   • To compare with someone who isn’t a match, select Invite, enter their email or username, and tap Invite to share, to send the invitation. Once  accepted, they’ll appear under DNA tests shared with you or DNA test sharing.
2. Tap Save to update your Traits Compare page. 

You’ll see the traits they’ve chosen to share, which may include all of their traits or only those they can access.

Removing someone

Removing someone stops only the DNA comparison; it won’t change their match status. If they’re a match, they’ll still be listed as a match. If they’ve shared their DNA results with you, they'll remain shared. You can add them back to the DNA comparison at any time.

From a browser:

1. On the DNA compare page, click the three horizontal dots next to someone you want to remove. 
2. Then, click Remove. 

From the app

1. From the Traits Compare page, select Add or remove.
2. Uncheck the box next to anyone you want to remove from comparison.
3. Tap Save to update your Traits Compare page. 

Allowing or Preventing DNA Comparisons

Ancestral origins

Control which of your ancestral regions and journeys you share with your DNA matches and others for comparison.

From a browser

1. In the top-right corner of Ancestry, select Account Settings.
2. On the left side, under Settings, click DNA.
3. Select a DNA test.
4. Scroll to the Visibility section and click Ancestral origins.
5. Choose whether to share all of your ancestral regions and journeys or only the ones you have in common.
6. Click Save.

From the app

1. Tap your Profile in the top left.
2. Under Manage DNA Test, select the DNA test or tap Switch test to choose a different one.
3. Scroll to the Visibility section and tap Ancestral origins.
4. Choose whether to share all of your ancestral regions and journeys or only the ones you have in common.
5. Tap Save.

Traits

Control if others can compare your traits with theirs:

From a browser

1. In the top-right corner of Ancestry, select Account Settings.
2. On the left side of the page, under Settings, click DNA.
3. Choose a DNA test.
4. Scroll to the Visibility section and click Compare traits.
5. Toggle the switch:
   • On to allow others to compare your traits with theirs.
   • Off to keep your traits private and prevent comparisons.
6. Click Save to apply your changes.

From the app

1. Tap your Profile in the top left.
2. Under Manage DNA Test, select the DNA test or tap Switch test to choose a different one.
3. Scroll to the Visibility section and tap Compare traits.
4. Toggle the switch:
   • On to allow others to compare your traits with theirs.
   • Off to keep your traits private and prevent comparisons.
5. Tap Save to apply your changes.

Frequently asked questions

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