Yes, it is extremely annoying to select "exact" like I have for years and getting that stupid message. While they haven't totally switched to the new way, I anticipate they will. They put out a survey not long ago asking how much you use Ancestry Exact searches. I use the OLD Exact searches 99.9% of the time! Due to spelling variations, transcription errors, etc., I often make multiple searches. But I prefer to have the ability to have results returned that MATCH the criteria I enter. I'm sure they have enough novice (and old) users who don't understand the advantages of the old Exact searches that if their survey results return 51% of users not using the Exact search, they will implement the "new way". They seem determined to alienate the long term users. In my opinion, they are insulting most new users by holding their hand too much.

I dropped my 10+ year Ancestry subscription because in my opinion they are going in the wrong direction. The potential loss of exact searches was the last straw. Their carelessness in importing databases from other sources and their poor customer service were other factors in my decision. I keep hoping TGN will realize their many mistakes and correct them. If they do, I may come back to Ancestry and maybe even Family Tree Maker. The longer they head in the wrong direction, the more probability that I will get to the alternative sources and genealogy software.

Oh yes, then there is the stupid profile thing where unless you purposely change your choice to allow your email address to be displayed to both Ancestry subscribers and non-subscribers AND check one or more of the checkboxes of the type of information, non-subscribers can no longer contact you directly. Some people may like that but I see an ethics problems with defaulting the option to contact by Ancestry subscribers only rather then defaulting it to the existing level and then informing users of the new option.