23andMe Review | 23andMe DNA Testing

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of October 2023, 23andMe has temporarily disabled some features of the DNA Relatives tool due to unauthorized access to several million 23andMe accounts. We don’t know how long some of these feature will be unavailable.

Millions of people around the world have taken DNA tests at 23andMe—second only in number to AncestryDNA. Is it right for YOU? Your DNA Guide Diahan Southard has this advice. Then KEEP READING for tips on using your 23andMe test results to answer questions about your family history.

Should I test with 23andMe?

  • Many people who are seriously searching for birth relatives or family tree-building DNA matches test with both 23andMe and Ancestry.
  • 23andMe also specializes in offering genetic health reports as part of your testing experience. They were the first company to do this, and remain a global leader in consumer DNA testing for health insights.
  • 23andMe includes an XDNA report with its autosomal test results, which is helpful when trying to determine how you’re related to your DNA matches.
  • Many people appreciate 23andMe’s genetic family tree tool, which proposes how you may be related to your matches based on your genetic connections.
  • Some people also like to use 23andMe’s chromosome browser.

Use 23andMe to learn more about your family history

Many 23andMe testers glance at their results once or twice and feel disappointed that they didn’t learn more. Your 23andMe test results may have more to tell you about your family history than you realize! And we can help you explore them.

The 23andMe Tour with Your DNA Guide is an online learning experience in which you’ll learn to navigate your way confidently around your test results. This inexpensive yet essential resource will help you work with your matches, understand your ethnicity results and use the various additional tools that give you insight into your heritage.

Note: If you’ve taken the Health + Ancestry test, please carefully read the advice given you in the Health reports. Take any concerns to your health care provider. The 23andMe Tour with Your DNA Guide does not cover the Health reports.