17 April 2013

Growth and Competition in Autosomal Genetic Genealogy

Family Tree DNA opened their autosomal DNA test (Family Finder) service to all in May 2010, preceded by a trial period with existing customers. Based on the matches with my DNA the clientele grew by 33% from 2010 to 2011, and 50% the following year.
Now, in the first three months of 2013, the growth is just 25% over the same period in 2012. This is based on my small sample.
This likely reflects the price differential.
23andMe reduced their price last December, from $299 to $99 for what is arguably a superior product in several respects.
There's new competition from AncestryDNA, also now priced at $99.
Meanwhile FTDNA has maintained a regular price of $289, unchanged from when the service launched in 2010. Even the sale price of late last year is now significantly above the competition.

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