5 best OSINT newsletters for you to subscribe. Carefully selected and reviewed.
A newsletter is vital for staying informed about the developments in the OSINT space. I’ve reviewed the top OSINT newsletters, making it simple for you to choose which to subscribe.
A newsletter is an essential resource for staying updated on the latest developments in the OSINT space. Subscribing to a newsletter you receive updates in an easy-to-digest format, straight to your inbox. I have reviewed the best OSINT newsletters in-depth, so you can easily pick which ones to subscribe to.
While all reviewed newsletters are great, depending on your professional direction some may suit you better than others. I recommend subscribing to several newsletters to learn OSINT from multiple angles. Broadening your knowledge will make you a better professional.
Here are the best OSINT newsletters:
- The OSINT Newsletter by Jake Creps.
- The Friday 5 Newsletter by Ritu Gill.
- The Weekly OSINT Newsletter by OSINT Jobs.
- The Sunday Download by Gary Rudell.
- The Practical OSINT Newsletter by OSINT Team.
Which ones should you subscribe to? Read my review and effortlessly make a decision.
The OSINT Newsletter
The OSINT Newsletter is written by Jake Creps, an OSINT analyst with experience in the public and private sectors. Jake has extensive management skills, specializes in digital investigations, and develops OSINT tools using Python.
His Substack newsletter is sent out twice a month and offers free and paid access. The paid version focuses on his research, providing guides on setting up tools and conducting digital investigations. The free version gives an overview of the latest developments in the OSINT space and typically includes around six resources. All of them are accompanied by his short review.
Recently Jake added voice notes, which made the newsletter even more engaging and added a great deal of personal touch. I love reading the text notes from analysts in each newsletter, but this one has an analyst speaking directly. I like it because it saves reading time and provides more context on the added resource.
Jake is an expert in his field and is able to communicate complex topics in an easy-to-digest way. He also plans to launch a podcast where he will interview leading OSINT experts.
Jake definitely takes a unique approach with his newsletter. Did you know that The OSINT Newsletter logo was inspired by Jake's cat? Her name is Monk. As a seasoned designer, I value such a personal approach to branding.
If you ask me, this is my favorite OSINT newsletter.
Favourite issue
My favorite issue is the comeback of this newsletter. It gives an idea of what to expect in the future and reflects a bit on the past. Being a newsletter writer myself, I appreciate his effort to deliver quality content and his constant improvements of the newsletter format.
This issue mentions the recent updates from Bellingcat and the Centre for Information Resilience. Those are two of the most prominent defenders of human rights in the OSINT space. It also provides a guide to investigating Bluesky.
Jake Creps
Welcome back, Jake!
The Friday 5 Newsletter
The Friday 5 Newsletter is written by Ritu Gill. Ritu is an accomplished Intelligence Analyst with over 17+ years of experience in the field of open-source intelligence (OSINT). Her career began with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), where she contributed to high-profile investigations. Last year, she co-founded Forensic OSINT, a tool for capturing digital evidence. Recently, she was appointed President of the OSMOSIS Association. Ritu is deeply involved in the OSINT community, where she actively contributes to advancing the field through training and fostering collaboration among professionals.
Ritu's free weekly newsletter includes the latest OSINT tips, tricks, and events. She typically shares 5 to 9 resources per issue, which strikes a perfect balance between being concise and insightful. Moreover, she complements each resource with her expert opinion. I appreciate this personalized approach and always enjoy reading her takeaways.
Her newsletter is aimed at all types of OSINT investigators, as it does not focus on a single subject. It covers a wide range of tools and methodologies that might be useful to different investigators. Social media posts from experts, top articles, relevant OSINT events, book reviews, and other valuable resources can be found in her newsletter. Additionally, each edition includes a meme at the end, adding a touch of humor to balance the intensive reading.
Favourite issue
Ritu doesn't have a public archive of her newsletters; they are sent directly to subscribers' inboxes. I will briefly describe my favorite issue so you can get an idea of the newsletter. Here’s a summary of the issue sent out on January 10, 2025:
Facebook investigations remain relevant, as the platform still has the largest number of daily active users. Ritu shared how to get Facebook user ID, Marketplace profiles, and hidden marketplace clues.
Last year, the OSINT landscape changed significantly. Justen Charters covered recent developments in his LinkedIn post. Google and Bing cache was removed, Instagram implemented rate limits on hashtag searches, and other changes were introduced, likely making investigations more challenging.
AI is on the rise and many investigators discuss its role in OSINT. Rae Baker explained how an AI mindset can streamline your intelligence analysis.
If you've been reading the news, you've probably heard of Luigi's case. The Cut article demonstrates how everyday platforms like Goodreads can be invaluable for open-source investigations.
Other resources that were shared by Ritu include how apps like Turo open new doors for investigations, resources for new OSINT enthusiasts, and a Trace Labs Search Party announcement.
I hope it gives you a good overview of Ritu's newsletter.
The Weekly OSINT Newsletter
The Weekly OSINT Newsletter is written by the OSINT Jobs editorial team, which includes several writers and one editor. They send out paid issues every Sunday and one free monthly issue on Substack.
Their weekly paywalled content includes OSINT tips and industry news, while their free monthly issues highlight all the paid weekly content. Job postings are free in every issue, which is a great feature.
It’s worth noting that they are the go-to source for finding OSINT-related jobs. Their mission is to connect OSINT talent with mission-driven companies. All the vacancies they post are carefully curated by their team. While the job market can be saturated, they filter through opportunities to feature only the best ones.
So far, they have published consistently for 164 weeks without a single break. On top of that, they host a free podcast focused on OSINT careers and skills.
Favourite issue
OSINT Jobs created a great roundup for September 2024 in their free issue. I will highlight the best resources and concisely describe the most interesting parts. Firstly, I will highlight some of the most interesting tools:
- Datawrapper for PowerPoint – A popular tool for creating charts, maps, and tables, now available for PowerPoint.
- Tree of Knowledge – An AI mind-mapping tool. Check how Claudia applied it to get up to speed on the supply chain risk topic.
- Yamli – A smart Arabic keyboard that predicts what you are trying to write.
In addition, they shared two blog posts from the UK OSINT Community, including Using Covert Research Accounts in OSINT Investigations and The Importance of OSINT Investigative Strategy.
Basically, their newsletter includes blog posts, podcasts, videos, and more. These are just a couple of resources I selectively highlighted. Follow the link below to explore more.
OSINT Jobs
In conclusion, it's an excellent newsletter for anyone looking to advance their career.
The Sunday Download
The Sunday Download is written by Gary Rudell, a talented content creator. In addition to his free newsletter, he shares well-produced YouTube tutorials. Gary has a diverse background, starting in the military and progressing to a career in Threat Intelligence within a corporate environment.
There is no newsletter more personal than Gary's. Each issue includes updates about his life, opinions, and content infused with his personality. Reading this newsletter feels like catching up with a friend you haven't seen in a while.
He typically shares one or two links to his own or others' OSINT content. He usually doesn't include complex tutorials directly in the newsletter. Instead, you'll find advanced material by following the links he provides. The newsletter itself has a more informal and conversational tone.
Gary's newsletter inspires me to create more content and continue developing my skills. It's worth subscribing to for anyone creating content in the Intelligence and Cybersecurity space.
Favourite issue
Gary doesn't have a public archive of his newsletters; they are sent directly to subscribers' inboxes. Here’s what Gary shared on September 15, 2024:
Gary typically starts with a greeting and a brief update about his recent life events. In this issue, he announced the launch of his Discord server.
He also shared an Obsidian tutorial. I think this tool is a must for any intelligence professional, as it allows you seamlessly create, manage, and visualize your knowledge base. I use Obsidian and it helps me work more efficiently.
The Practical OSINT Newsletter
The Practical OSINT Newsletter is written by the OSINT Team. Currently, I'm the one who writes it. I've been educating people about OSINT since 2019. Two years ago, I created a new home for OSINT writers — an independent blog. Fast forward to today, and our blog has gained recognition from industry experts, becoming a great platform for sharing OSINT skills.
The Practical OSINT Newsletter prioritizes practice over theory, delivering actionable guides applicable to any investigation. Recognizing the diversity of OSINT professions, the newsletter provides useful content for all. Each issue is packed with OSINT techniques you can immediately apply to your investigations.
Currently, our free newsletter is delivered quarterly (once every three months). I have plans to send it monthly if I find a contributor. Composing one issue requires a lot of effort and quality research. I wouldn't sacrifice quality over quantity. If you would like to grow faster as a professional and be heard by many – contact us.
Favorite issue
I write extensively about researching individuals and can cover person-of-interest research from multiple angles. This issue includes a guide on setting up your research environment and an excellent tutorial on phone number investigations.
Additionally, it covers geolocation and verification — essential skills in fighting disinformation. Digital investigations are constantly evolving, and now we have a new kid on the block: Web3. To keep up with the latest trends, I’ve also included a light introduction to blockchain.
Discover more valuable insights by reading our very first issue!
Petro Cherkasets
Are there more great newsletters?
Of course! I have divided my review into several parts, this is the first one. I will share more newsletter reviews later on. In the meantime, subscribe to our newsletter using the form below and explore and extensive list of newsletters on our resources page.