Apertureless magneto‐optical near‐field microscopy is developed for studying sub‐picosecond spindynamics at nanometer spatial scale. Polarization modulation and tip vibrations are implemented. Polarization responsivity of the tip‐induced scattering is demonstrated using polarization modulation and tip vibrations. A near‐field magneto‐optical contrast is achieved for a thin ferromagnetic film with in‐plane magnetization; however, its interpretation is shown to be nontrivial. Distribution of the evanescent field is measured vs. tip‐sample distance. Interference of the near‐field with the far‐field scattered light is found at distances ca. 300 nm and more, and strong tip‐surface interaction that quenches the detected scattering is found at distances below 20 nm. © 2003 American Institute of Physics