Updates to 23andMe’s DNA Relatives Temporarily on Hold

For the next week or so, 23andMe is pausing updates to the DNA Relatives feature.  This feature provides a list of genetic matches and estimates the range of relationship.

According to this week’s 23andMe update entitled “Release Notes: 7 June 2013,” (you must log in to view), “The computation time for DNA Relatives and Ancestry Composition has been growing.”

Going into greater detail at “DNA Relatives computations temporarily on hold,” 23andMe explains that due to the increased computational time, and in an effort to reduce the time it takes to generate DNA Relatives matches, updates are paused.  Accordingly, “[t]his means that you won’t be receiving new matches to your existing DNA Relatives list, and if you haven’t received your matches yet there may be some additional waiting time.”

It sounds as though this temporary pause will ultimately lead to faster results for 23andMe customers.

The full message is below:

Hi everyone,

As Mike mentioned in the June 7th Release Notes, the computation time for DNA Relatives has been growing.

Part of the effort to reduce the time it takes to generate DNA Relatives matches has required us to pause updates for this feature for the time being. This means that you won’t be receiving new matches to your existing DNA Relatives list, and if you haven’t received your matches yet there may be some additional waiting time.

While putting these computations on pause was the best option available while the update is in progress, we understand that it’s not ideal and we appreciate your patience.

We expect to re-enable updates to DNA Relatives by the end of next week, June 21st.

I will share updates on this thread as necessary.

Thanks,
Christine

Jun 13, 2013