C# logging is crucial for optimizing application performance and debugging errors, but effective logging requires context and a readable format. This guide outlines best practices for C# logging, emphasizing the benefits of using JSON formatting for easier log analysis and recommending specialized frameworks like Apache log4net over built-in providers like TraceSource for enriched logging capabilities. It walks through the installation and configuration of logging libraries, the addition of metadata, and the standardization of logs with naming conventions. The guide also covers logging both handled and unhandled exceptions and suggests streaming logs to a centralized log management service such as Datadog for comprehensive monitoring and analysis. By following these practices, developers can gain deeper insights into application health and performance, leveraging logs to track trends and troubleshoot issues effectively.