---
title: get_linking_metadata (Python agent API)
source: https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/agents/python-agent/python-agent-api/getlinkingmetadata-python-agent-api
---

## Syntax

```py
get_linking_metadata()
```

Returns a dictionary of contextual data for use in log messages.

## Requirements

Python agent version 5.4.0 or higher

## Description

A dictionary of key/value pairs providing contextual information. This API can be used to add agent metadata for manual logging.

## Return values

Returns a dictionary.

## Examples

```py
import json
import newrelic.agent
log_message = {"message": "Hello World"}
context = newrelic.agent.get_linking_metadata()
log_message.update(context)
print(json.dumps(log_message))
```