From aa0d9540e82f84769bbcff4c6585965ef7621392 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Local Administrator <ryan.salazar@relevantmediaproperties.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:45:46 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Feed: strict newest-first sort; promos are badges only

---
 src/app/api/public/posts/route.ts            |  3 +--
 src/app/home-page/components/ArticleFeed.tsx | 12 +++++-------
 src/lib/promoted-articles.ts                 | 20 ++------------------
 3 files changed, 8 insertions(+), 27 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/app/api/public/posts/route.ts b/src/app/api/public/posts/route.ts
index 459cb1a..9891c45 100644
--- a/src/app/api/public/posts/route.ts
+++ b/src/app/api/public/posts/route.ts
@@ -33,8 +33,7 @@ export async function GET(request: Request) {
     source: "imported" as const,
   }));
 
-  // Decorate + reorder so premium and current-advertiser stories surface
-  // at the top of the feed.
+  // Decorate with promotion badges; preserve wp_published_at order.
   const decorated = await decorateHomepageFeed("avbeat", base);
   const payload = decorated.map((d) => ({
     ...d.article,
diff --git a/src/app/home-page/components/ArticleFeed.tsx b/src/app/home-page/components/ArticleFeed.tsx
index a045870..8a86163 100644
--- a/src/app/home-page/components/ArticleFeed.tsx
+++ b/src/app/home-page/components/ArticleFeed.tsx
@@ -171,19 +171,14 @@ export default function ArticleFeed({ initialPosts = [] }: ArticleFeedProps) {
     return matchCat && matchSource && matchSearch && matchDate;
   });
 
-  // Sort filtered articles based on sortOrder. For every order we honor
-  // the promoted-tier hierarchy first (premium > advertiser > general) so
-  // paid placements and advertiser news always lead. Within each tier the
-  // user's chosen sort applies.
+  // Recent: strict publish-date order (newest first). Promoted badges stay
+  // on cards but never reorder the feed. Trending/commented keep promo tier.
   function promotedTier(a: ArticleItem): number {
     if (a.promoted_kind === "premium") return 0;
     if (a.promoted_kind === "client") return 1;
     return 2;
   }
   const sortedFiltered = [...filtered].sort((a, b) => {
-    const ta = promotedTier(a);
-    const tb = promotedTier(b);
-    if (ta !== tb) return ta - tb;
     if (sortOrder === "recent") {
       const da = parseArticleDate(a.date);
       const db = parseArticleDate(b.date);
@@ -192,6 +187,9 @@ export default function ArticleFeed({ initialPosts = [] }: ArticleFeedProps) {
       if (!db) return -1;
       return db.getTime() - da.getTime();
     }
+    const ta = promotedTier(a);
+    const tb = promotedTier(b);
+    if (ta !== tb) return ta - tb;
     if (sortOrder === "trending") {
       // Trending: FEATURED category gets a boost, then by recency
       const featuredBoost = (art: ArticleItem) => (art.category === "FEATURED" ? 2 : 0);
diff --git a/src/lib/promoted-articles.ts b/src/lib/promoted-articles.ts
index 117d101..6a1530d 100644
--- a/src/lib/promoted-articles.ts
+++ b/src/lib/promoted-articles.ts
@@ -260,23 +260,7 @@ export async function decorateHomepageFeed<T extends PromotableArticle>(
     return { article: a, promoted_kind: null, promoted_until: null };
   });
 
-  // Sort: premium first (by position asc), then client (by date desc), then general (by date desc)
-  function tier(d: DecoratedArticle<T>): number {
-    if (d.promoted_kind === "premium") return 0;
-    if (d.promoted_kind === "client") return 1;
-    return 2;
-  }
-  function dateTs(d: DecoratedArticle<T>): number {
-    const t = new Date(d.article.date).getTime();
-    return isNaN(t) ? 0 : t;
-  }
-  decorated.sort((a, b) => {
-    const ta = tier(a);
-    const tb = tier(b);
-    if (ta !== tb) return ta - tb;
-    if (ta === 0) return (a.promoted_position ?? 999) - (b.promoted_position ?? 999);
-    return dateTs(b) - dateTs(a); // newest first
-  });
-
+  // Preserve caller order (wp_published_at desc). Promotion flags are visual
+  // badges only — the Industry News feed stays newest-to-oldest.
   return decorated;
 }