Is it true that amateur players tend to choose the advance variation after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5? My database shows that after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5, white has the following main variations:



Nc3




exd5




e5



and they are equally popular among professional players. However, from my experience playing online games, I have observed that among amateur players, 3. e5 is far more popular than the other two moves.  Is it true that 3. e5 is statistically more popular than 3. Nc3 and 3. exd5 among amateur players? If so, why?
According to Lichess's database for games between ~1600 rated players in the Caro-kann does indeed show that 3. e5 is much more common than other moves.
e5 in fact accounts for 46% of games played; compare this to the second most common move, exd5, which is only 28%.
Often when amateurs are learning the concept of space in chess, the Advanced French Defense is used as an example. 3. e5 therefore is a common move for amateur white players to play against the French Defense.
Since the Caro-Kann resembles the French Defense, I believe amateur players simply play 3. e5 as it is what they know best. (This is only my best guess, don't take this as a hard fact).