InstantCommons shares the media search interface for local files, but local media are not prioritized in the results. This leads to the situation that local files get 'buried' under the Wikimedia Commons media, and can only be found by increasing the search term precision, reducing the benefit of search. It is unfortunate to have to choose between accessing InstantCommons or degrading local media search.

Possible implementations:

• feature local media at the top of the search results
• initially only search for local media, include a "search further in Wikimedia Commons" button
• have a separate tab or user interface for InstantCommons

This would primarily benefit non-Wikipedia instances, presumably increasing the use of InstantCommons.