From zero to traces: Choosing the right APM instrumentation method for your stack

Datadog recommends using Single Step Instrumentation (SSI) as the default method for distributed tracing because it can deploy across an entire fleet in minutes by injecting tracers at startup without requiring code changes or team coordination. However, manual instrumentation remains necessary for specific gaps like Go services or unsupported runtimes, while custom instrumentation should be used when deeper visibility into application logic or business context is required.