| name | web-research |
| description | Research genealogy apps (Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, etc.) to identify features, UX patterns, pricing, and competitive gaps. |
Genealogy App Web Research
This skill helps you research existing genealogy applications to inform product ideation — understanding what's out there, what works, what's missing, and where opportunities lie.
Research targets
When researching the competitive landscape, prioritize these platforms:
- Ancestry.com — largest paid genealogy platform, rich record access, DNA testing
- MyHeritage — strong European records, AI-enhanced photo tools, DNA matching
- FamilySearch — free, LDS-backed, massive digitized record collection
- Findmypast — strong UK/Irish records, newspaper archives
- Geni — collaborative world family tree, social features
- WikiTree — free collaborative platform, strict sourcing standards
- MacFamilyTree / RootsMagic / Gramps — desktop/local software options
Research process
- Fetch the homepage and key subpages of each target (features, pricing, about). Use WebFetch to extract content.
- Extract structured insights under these dimensions:
- Core features (tree building, record search, DNA, collaboration, media)
- UX patterns (onboarding, tree visualization, record attachment)
- Pricing model (free tier, subscription tiers, one-time purchase)
- Target audience (casual hobbyist, serious researcher, professional genealogist)
- Unique differentiators
- Apparent weaknesses or limitations
- Synthesize across platforms to identify:
- Features that appear universally (table stakes)
- Features unique to one platform (potential differentiators)
- Common pain points mentioned in user-facing copy or FAQs
- Gaps — things none of them do well
Output format
Structure your findings as:
Competitive Landscape Summary
Brief overview of the market (2-3 sentences).
Platform Profiles
For each platform: name, pricing, target user, 3-5 key features, 1-2 notable weaknesses.
Feature Matrix
A markdown table: platforms as columns, feature categories as rows, with ✓/✗/partial markers.
Market Gaps & Opportunities
Bulleted list of underserved needs or missing features that a new app could address.
Recommendations for a New App
Top 3-5 strategic opportunities based on the research.
Project context
Släktforskning differentiates on being local-first (no cloud, no subscription), agent-friendly (built-in MCP server for AI assistance), and research-grade (Source → Citation model). When researching competitors, pay special attention to:
- Data ownership & privacy — most competitors require cloud accounts. How do they handle data export/portability?
- AI integration — are competitors adding AI features? How do they compare to native MCP tool access?
- Citation workflows — this is a known pain point. How do competitors handle source attachment and evidence evaluation?
- Desktop vs. web vs. mobile — Släktforskning is desktop-first. What do desktop competitors (RootsMagic, Gramps, MacFamilyTree) do well that web-first platforms don't?
See docs/PLAN.md for the current roadmap — focus research on features relevant to upcoming work.
Tips
- Focus on what users actually experience, not just marketing copy — check FAQ, help center, and community forum content when accessible.
- Note whether features are behind a paywall vs. free.
- Pay attention to how platforms handle sourcing and citations — this is a major pain point in genealogy.
- Mobile experience quality is often a gap worth noting.
