About Henk van Ess
Henk van Ess finds what others miss in public data. He’s an investigator, tool builder, and trainer with two decades in online research and OSINT — and one of the first to integrate AI into investigative methods that hold up under scrutiny.
His motto: “think like a document” — don’t chase the question, imagine what the answer would look like if it existed, then go find that shape. When one approach fails, another opens up, turning even spectacular failures into learning moments.
He builds the tools he teaches with. ImageWhisperer.org detects AI-generated images. Research Pilot helps professionals dig deeper, faster.
His AI prompting methodologies go a step further. He developed a method where AI writes its own prompts — turning a single question into a full investigative workflow. His Prewash Method takes it further still: before asking AI anything, you ask what it needs to know first — turning context into precision.
Over 20 Pulitzer Prize winners have sought his expertise. Clients include NGOs, financial research firms, law enforcement, legal teams, and intelligence professionals across Europe and the US — plus Google News Initiative and media including ProPublica, NBC News, DPG Media, and Axel Springer.
His AI pattern recognition methods have reached courtrooms, newsrooms, and boardrooms worldwide.
Clients say his quirky precision and humor make complex topics digestible — though he suspects they’re just being nice.
Henk evaluates fact-checking organizations as assessor for IFCN (Poynter) and its European counterpart EFCSN, trains for GIJN, and guest lectures at The Washington Post, Free Tech Academy Berlin, and Arizona State University. Books include The Researcher’s Guide to Practical AI (2026), Handboek Datajournalistiek, the Verification Handbook, and Richtig Recherchieren. Early trainer and member of Bellingcat.
His quote “We always start in the darkness” ended up on The Washington Post’s verification team mugs — both flattering and slightly embarrassing.
He runs Digital Digging (digitaldigging.org) — 11,000+ worldwide subscribers. Workshops on most continents, year-round — English, German, Dutch. Still working on Hindi.
INTP-A, apparently — which explains this third-person bio, the obsession with systems, and the Hindi ambition.
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What Our Members Say
"Henk's delivery of high-quality, relevant, and up-to-date open-source insights is not just beneficial; it's transformative for anyone serious about mastering this domain. Henk's expertise is a rare and invaluable resource in the ever-evolving landscape of open-source information." - Justin Yentes
"As Fact-Checkers and Researchers, we learn tremendously from your insights. In the constantly changing world of AI, you help us stay current with everything that matters for our work." - Dr. Stefan Hertrampf
"I have attended your seminars at NBC News and am in awe of your investigative abilities." - Polly DeFrank
"The research techniques and tools you share are incredibly valuable and stay current with the evolving landscape. I support your work to learn from your experience and ensure you continue sharing insights with the open-source community." - Tristan
"This is just what I have been looking for to help sort through all of the various AI resources. Thank you." - Joey Williams
"I know it's important. Thank you for all that you share." - Phee P
"I am a senior analyst, and despite the tons of material available on the topic of OSINT, AI, and the two combined, I think you share information that is essential for us to continue to do our work well as researchers/analysts, staying on the frontier of available and possible research. Great job." - Paolo
"Digital digging involves manual information retrieval and analysis from online sources." - Heidi Se
"I followed your work for years and attended your post Facebook training course in Amsterdam years ago. When I teach OSINT I refer my delegates to your work and that of Bellingcat. Hold you both up as examples how far open source research can take people." - Ray Massie
"OSINT is constantly changing and in order to stay current, one must follow an expert like Henk to stay on top of those changes and new methods." - Emilio
"Want to get better in OSINT research and also read your AI guide to digital research." - Sasha Gress
"I was a cartoonist for the Centre for Investigative Journalism for its Summer Schools and sat in on your training sessions. They had a fantastic effect." - Andrew Salerno-Garthwaite
"Henk van Ess is the best in the game at explaining OSINT tips and tricks and how AI is affecting the world of OSINT." - Explainabl
"You have great tips." - Riin
"I saw Henk in Gothenburg a couple of weeks ago and wanted to learn more about researching with AI." - Jonas D
"I recently subscribed to your newsletter. I also had the privilege of taking your training course through Al Jazeera's channel. I wanted to express my appreciation for your valuable work in the field of open-source intelligence." - Amr Elqazaz
"I've been in the OSINT business for several years now, and you are the first 'mentor' I have decided to support, as I learn a lot from your search tips and tweaks." - Einat
"Hi Henk, je maakt mooie content. Het werd tijd dat ik dat ging supporten." - Ludo
"I enjoyed your presentation on Google pitfall from last year's Skopenow OSINT day. I did read your book 'Da Google' and will look for your book on AI." - Jeff L
"We wanted to take a moment to express our admiration and support for the work you've been doing. Your dedication, expertise, and contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed." - Luis Gonzalez
"Love your workshops! Thanks a lot for all the knowledge you share, really helpful - and always fun!" - Selina
"I've just subscribed to your newsletter and pre-ordered your book on Research with Practical AI." - Stefan Voss
"We brought you to speak to the team at The New Humanitarian and before that I heard you and Paul Wood at an event in London. Greetings from Istanbul!" - Ben Parker
"I wish to use AI for semantic textual mining, and to learn more about the problems of creating a 'gold standard' of AI repute." - Rev Brian Dole
"My friend gifted me a subscription for one month, it's very helpful. You also trained me when I worked at Global Witness and elsewhere. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!" - Sophian
"You are helping ignorant, naive users of the internet how to avoid the people that have bad intentions by using their knowledge to enrich themselves in epidemic proportions in a criminal way." - buffel45
"The use of ChatGPT in OSINT operations is super. It is a great honor to get information from masters like you." - Suat
"So glad you are starting this - can't wait to follow along!" - Elyse Samuels, Washington Post
