Sort by Featured Members @ Top of Search – Default Search Criteria

Hi Premiumpressers

I’ve messed about with Premiumpress for years and remember in previous editions, we had ability to set default search results “sort by” featured members first .. So you know my skill level, I’m not a web developer or coder – but do understand basic python, functions etc (self taught), so can normally successfully find and edit most .php / .html files etc – but couldn’t code / design everything..

My goal is setting “featured members” to appear at top of search results automatically. With my directory website – membership and listings are free / featured members $20 .. Personally feel appearing on front page of national website is not a big enough advantage to charge small local businesses featured listing fee.

I’ve located the code specifying the “sort by” button content in file :
URL>wp-content>themes>DT9>search-top.php
and moved “Featured” code to top .. ( <?php echo __(“Featured”,”premiumpress”) ?> — Placed full reordered code excerpt at bottom of msg .. )

After reordering search-top.php button code & uploading to host – when selection button now does display featured listing first – but default “sort by” criteria is still not forcing featured members to top of results.

Any advice / time / help is appreciated .. 🙂 🙂

<div class=”dropdown-menu” aria-labelledby=”btnGroupDrop1″>
<?php echo __(“Featured”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php echo __(“Title”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php echo __(“Date Added”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php echo __(“Populatiry”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php echo __(“Rating”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php if(THEME_KEY == “at”){ ?>
<?php echo __(“Auction Ending”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php echo __(“Price”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php }elseif(THEME_KEY == “cp”){ ?>
<?php echo __(“Times Used”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php echo __(“Expiry Date”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php }else{ ?>
<?php echo __(“Price”,”premiumpress”) ?>
<?php } ?>