Two types of amphiphilic polymers composed of azobenzene repeat units in the main chain connected either via ethynylene (acetylene) or butadiynylene (diacetylene) linkages and carrying oligo(ethylene glycol) side chains were reported. Synthesis was accomplished by polycondensation involving Sonogashira–Hagihara cross coupling and Glaser coupling, respectively. Solvent titration experiments revealed that both polymers fold into stable helices in a polar environment. While the ethynylene-bridged polymer resembled the behavior of its oligomeric counterparts, introduction of the extended diacetylene unit strengthened π,π-stacking interactions in case of the butadiynylene-bridged polymer leading to a pronounced aggregation tendency and suppressing photoisomerization in the folded state. Our study demonstrates the importance of backbone connectivity to balance intra- and intermolecular forces for the successful design of photoresponsive polymers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 313–318