PURPOSE: To provide a magnetic recording medium excellent in light transmittancy, surface properties, and traveling durability and to realize an accurate positioning of a magnetic head without damaging the basic characteristics, e.g. electromagnetic conversion characteristics and durability of the medium.

CONSTITUTION: A light-transmissive conductive intermediate layer 12 is interposed between a magnetic recording layer 13 and a transparent nonmagnetic support 11. The nonmagnetic support exhibits light transmittancy of 70% or above for a light having wavelength in the range of 700-900nm whereas the magnetic recording layer contains a magnetic powder having primary particle size of 0.1μm or less. The magnetic recording medium is employed in the optical tracking servo using a light having wavelength of 700nm or above.