An optical information recording medium for carrying out recording, readout or erasing with layer beams, which comprises a support having carried thereon at least one compound represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, or substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups, Z represents an atomic group for forming a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring, and L represents a linking group for forming a carbocyanine.The present optical information recording media have an excellent recording performance and stability, and dyes used therein have no explosive property and thus can safely and readily be prepared.