Use the GD > Listings shortcode with show_featured_only="1". It works on any page or post, including a home page that is not a GeoDirectory page:

[gd_listings post_type="gd_place" show_featured_only="1" post_limit="6" layout="3"]

What each option does:

• post_type is the post type to show. gd_place is the default Places type.
• show_featured_only="1" limits the list to listings marked as featured.
• post_limit is how many listings to show.
• layout is 0 for a list, or 1 to 5 for a grid with that many columns.
• category takes a category ID if you only want featured listings from one category.
• add_location_filter is on by default. Set it to 0 if the list should ignore the location the visitor is browsing.

Using it in a page builder

In the block editor, add the GD > Listings block and tick “Show featured only?”. In Elementor, Divi, Avada and similar builders, paste the shortcode into the builder’s shortcode or text element. You do not need a plugin that turns widgets into shortcodes, because every GeoDirectory widget is also a shortcode and a block.

The Shortcode Builder lets you pick the options in a form and copies the shortcode for you. The full list of options is in GD > Listings.

How a listing becomes featured

Featured is a custom field. If your post type does not have it yet, add the Featured field at Places > Settings > Custom Fields. It is an admin only field, so you tick “Is Featured?” when editing the listing in wp-admin and users cannot set it themselves.