Avoid the Pitfalls: How to Get Custom Metrics Right

Metrics are essential. Until they become a mess.

Metrics are one of the three pillars of observability. Datadog gives you 700+ integrations out of the box, but sometimes you still need to bring your own.

That’s where custom metrics come in—and where things can go sideways fast if you’re not careful.

What to expect:

Real Datadog and NoBS engineers breaking down custom metrics: what they are, when to use them, and how to avoid the pitfalls that drive up cost and complexity.

• What custom metrics are and when to think about them

• How to create custom metrics in different ways

• The types of metrics (and which ones matter most)

• The Cardinal(ity) Sin: when tags cause metric sprawl

• Metrics without Limits: how to stay flexible without losing control

Why should you attend?

Because custom metrics can make or break your observability practice.

Done right, they sharpen visibility and speed up answers. Done wrong, they bury you in noise and make your bill harder to manage. We’ll show you how to stay in control—and keep your metrics working for you, not against you.