SERP update with old cache

I recently did a pretty extensive update of my on-page optimization including several shared files like the navigation and footer.

It didn't take Google anytime to start updating as my Google cache (cache:http://www.mysite.com) came in and out of existence.

After several days of this, my SERP title and description showed the newest version while the cache lagged behind still showing the previous pages.

Along with this came a general decline from 1- 5 spots for my terms to 5-10 (the very ones I optimized for on-page).

I know Google has been fluctuating a lot lately and disregarded this as the new Google way for a few days but now I'm growing concerned as i have become a permanent fixture at these lower positions.

A lot of babel for this simple question...

Has my on-page optimization already had an effect on my SERP position (title and description is updated) or should I wait for Google cache to update?

Do you have some more info - a link to your website would help.

To be honest the fact the cache is yet to update is not directly relevant to changing search engine ranking though.

Its good that you haven't made snap panic decision.

Its also good that you note what has changed.

One thing, did you check which Google Data Center the results came from?

One thing to try is to switch back and see what happens, if you fall even more then it was an algo update / data center switch that caused your problem.

If you suddenyl go back up then it was your on page tweaks that caused the drop.

HINT: Change one thing and see what effect it has. Then you don't second guess your self all the time.

tstolber,

Thanks for the reply and great advice!

I did not check the data centers but I will.

Two days ago Google's cache caught up and I was still sitting lower than before so I went ahead and reverted to my old title and description (I did not completely revert from all on-page optimization).

I have not seen effects from reverting back but Google has not visited me yet either. We'll see how this plays out.