The isomerization of azobenzene and its derivatives (Azo) has remained topical since the 1930s. The number of potential advanced applications of azobenzene photoswitches is still growing, ranging from molecular electronics, through light-controlled catalysis, and photoactuators, to chemical biology and beyond. Such a dynamic advancement demands constant development of individual Azo photoswitches and systems utilizing them. Pivotal examples of current challenges are synthesis of new Azo molecules, proper harnessing of the collective activity of molecular photoswitches, and control over Azo properties by other adjacent chemical species. For many years, gold has been used as one of the best substrates to deposit azobenzenes onto due to its high affinity towards amine-and thiol-terminated molecules. Research attention was focused on Azo self-assembled monolayers (SAMs)initially on planar, macroscopic gold surfaces and subsequently on positively curved surfaces, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Current research is mainly devoted to hybrids formed via covalent linkage between the photochromic unit and nanoplasmonic core (Azo-AuNPs), and substantial emphasis is put on the investigation of the Light-Induced Self-Assembly (LISA) phenomenon. However, preparing chemically linked Azo-AuNPs hybrids is usually limited to small, spherical nanostructures that exhibit limited light-harvesting capability and spectrally overlap with the profile of the photochrome. This greatly limited exploration of possible plasmon-assisted Azo isomerization, leaving this aspect virtually unexplored. Additionally, the properties of Azo-AuNPs hybrids are mainly investigated in organic solvents, yet water-functional plasmonicphotochromic systems could be beneficial for biological and medical applications. Furthermore, the uncontrolled Brownian motion of Azo-AuNPs hybrids and their light-induced aggregation, although advantageous for, e.g. preparation of self-erasing media, constitute important limitations in the fields relying on stable plasmonic properties. These limitations can be overcome by exploring novel composite formulations and applying new chemical components that are able to stabilize the initial constituents. Hence, systems utilizing poly(vinyl alcohol), polydopamine, carbon nanotubes, or even DNA serving as a matrix or scaffold for both AuNPs and Azo have emerged in recent years. We perceive that the introduction of a third, inert component can render new plasmonic-photochromic systems incorporating entirely new classes of Azo molecules and bigger nanoplasmonic cores of anisotropic geometries. As a result, this approach can give rise to new, previously unattainable experimental scenarios and possibilities.