DNA matches

DNA matches occur when two individuals share segments of DNA, indicating a genetic relationship. This can happen between family members or even between distant relatives, as humans share varying amounts of DNA with each other. DNA testing services compare your DNA to others in their database, highlighting matches with overlapping segments. These matches can help trace ancestry, confirm familial connections, or explore genetic heritage. The degree of match typically suggests how closely related two people are, with closer matches indicating more direct relationships, like siblings or parents, whereas distant matches might indicate connections further back in family trees.