Why is everyone using the scandinavian defense?

Why is everyone using the Scandinavian defense? I'm returning after a long time of not playing and I notice damn near everyone I face does the Scandinavian defense, given my Elo did Gotham make a video on it? I'm not complaining, I find it pretty interesting, but why?

Honestly if you ask me I think it's a terrible opening for the elo I'm facing at, too easy to bully the queen for free and develop simultaneously, so the fact that it's being used a lot is even more confusing

As you said, the Scandinavian indeed has it's down sides. But it is solid and black does not have to learn as much, for example, if you play the Sicilian, there are a bunch of anti-Sicilians you need to learn. Thought I would advise you not to look down on the Scandinavian; many strong players have played it.

Black is basically aiming for a Caro-Kann type of position. But if he played 1...c6, there are more responses to it. And against strong players, it can be hard to harass the queen for long.