How accurate are the ancestry reports provided by 23andMe?

The ancestry reports provided by 23andMe are generally accurate; however, they should be viewed as estimates rather than definitive answers. The company compares your DNA with reference panels from diverse populations to determine your genetic lineage. The accuracy of these reports varies depending on the reference panel used and the geographical region being tested. Different regions may have more or less data available, impacting the precision of the results. Additionally, 23andMe continually updates and improves its reference database, which may also affect the accuracy of ancestry reports over time. Furthermore, while 23andMe's reports can provide insights into your broad genetic heritage, they may not capture every aspect of your ancestry due to limitations in the reference panel or individual genetic variations. Therefore, it is essential to interpret these reports cautiously, understanding their limitations as estimates rather than absolute truth.